CAF has confirmed the dates and times for the highly anticipated Champions League semi-finals, with Betway Premiership giants Mamelodi Sundowns kicking off their two-legged tie with an away fixture.
Sundowns are set to face Esperance after booking a place in the semi-final with a 3-2 victory on aggregate against Stade Malien in a two-legged quarter-final.
Masandawana claimed a dominant 3-0 victory over Malien at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in the first-leg before suffering a 2-0 defeat away in what was a nail-biting qualification to the last four.
The Brazilians are chasing the Champions League title, aiming to win the prestigious tournament for the first time since 2016, when they beat Zamalek SC in the final under then-head coach Pitso Mosimane.
Last season, Sundowns came close to lifting the trophy after reaching the final; however, they lost 3-1 to Pyramids FC. But this campaign, with some of the big guns, such as Al Hilal, Al Ahly, and defending champions Pyramids, out of the Champions League, Sundowns are hoping to use that to their advantage and finally win the continental showpiece.
WHEN WILL THE CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMI-FINAL MATCHES TAKE PLACE?
The Tshwane giants are scheduled to travel to Tunisia on Sunday, 12 April, for the opening leg of their semi-final clash.
Sundowns will then host Esperance in the return leg before their home faithful at Loftus Versfeld on 18 April. Adding a layer of intrigue to the tie is Miguel Cardoso’s history with the opposition. The Portuguese tactician faces the Tunisian giants he managed just two seasons ago.
Remarkably, this is the third consecutive season these sides have met with Cardoso involved; he led Sundowns to victory over his former side in last season’s quarter-finals, after previously knocking the Brazilians out as Esperance head coach in the semi-finals.
Meanwhile, the other semi-final features an all-Moroccan affair as AS FAR welcomes RS Berkane for the first leg on Saturday, 11 April, with the decisive second leg following on the 18th.”
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