Jingles for Mosimane as Sundowns draw Ahly

MAMELODI Sundowns will go up against their former coach Pitso Mosimane in the CAF Champions League quarter-finals, which were decided at a draw in Cairo, Egypt, yesterday.

Mosimane's team Al Ahly was not seeded since they finished second in Group A. After Sundowns emerged as the Group B winners, speculation was rife that the draw could produce a meeting between the two teams, who will meet on a home and away basis.

Two weeks ago, Sundowns co-coach Rhulani Mokwena was asked about the possibility of a Sundowns - Al Ahly quarter-final showdown, and he responded: "I don't think Pitso would want to play Sundowns in the next round."

Al Ahly are nine-time African champions, and the No 1 ranked club in Africa. Sundowns, who won the Champions League in 2016, have yet to break into the top 10 ranked African clubs.

It will be a highly emotional return for Mosimane when Al Ahly, the defending champions, fulfil the away leg in Pretoria. Despite the competitive nature of the showdown, Sundowns fans will give Mosimane a hero's welcome at the airport. At this stage, that match will likely be played behind closed doors.

South Africa's other Champions League team Kaizer Chiefs will face Simba SC of Tanzania.

Chiefs have reached the quarter-finals for the first time. Simba enjoy the distinction of being the only side to defeat Al Ahly in the Champions League this season.

Meanwhile, the Confederation Cup quarter-final draw was also concluded yesterday.

South Africa's lone representatives Orlando Pirates have drawn Raja Casablanca, last season's Champions League semi-finalists.

Pirates reached the quarter-finals after tasting defeat at the hands of Nigerian giants Enyimba in their final Group A match on Wednesday.

Raja Casablanca, the 2018 Confederation Cup winners, were the most impressive team in the group stage phase and won all six games without conceding a goal.

2020-21 TOTAL CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUARTER-FINALS DRAW:

(1st leg 14, 15 May 2021 – 2nd leg 21, 22 May 2021) QF 1 – Al Ahly (Egypt) v Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)

QF 2 – MC Alger (Algeria) v Wydad AC (Morocco) QF 3 – CR Belouizdad (Algeria) v Esperance (Tunisia) QF 4 – Kaizer Chiefs (South Africa) v Simba (Tanzania) Semi-Finals

(1st leg 18, 19 June 2021 – 2nd leg 25, 26 June 2021) SF 1 – Winner of QF 2 v Winner of QF 4

SF 2 – Winner of QF 3 v Winner of QF 1

Final

(17 July 2021)

Winner SF 1 - Winner SF 2

TOTAL CAF CONFEDERATION CUP QUARTER-FINALS DRAW:

(1st leg: 16 May 2021 – 2nd legL: 23 May 2021)

QF 1 – CS Sfaxien (Tunisia) v JS Kabylie (Algeria)

QF 2 – Orlando Pirates (South Africa) v Raja CA (Morocco) QF 3 – Pyramids FC (Egypt) v Enyimba (Nigeria)

QF 4 – Coton Sport (Cameroon) v Jaraaf (Senegal) Semi-Finals

(1st leg: 20 June 2021 – 2nd leg: 27 June 2021)

SF 1 – Winner of QF 3 v Winner of QF 2

SF 2 – Winner of QF 4 v Winner of QF 1

Final

(10 July 2021)

Winner SF 1 - Winner SF 2