
AFL Draw: Simba to take on Al Ahly
Reading Time: 2min | Sun. 03.09.23. | 12:45
These quarterfinal clashes pit teams with 43 Champions League titles between them in a battle of the continent's heavyweights.
The draw for the inaugural African Football League (AFL) quarterfinals in Cairo has produced mouthwatering ties between some of the continent's biggest clubs.
Tanzania's Simba SC will host Egyptian giants Al Ahly in the first leg of the first quarterfinal on October 20 in the draw conducted on Saturday by Ghana legend Asamoah Gyan and Angolan model Maria Borges.
Al Ahly have won a record 11 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League titles, while Simba are seeking a maiden semi-final appearance in the new AFL.
Five-time Champions League winners TP Mazembe of the DR Congo takes on Tunisian cup specialists Esperance, four-time winners, in the second quarterfinal first leg on October 21.
Nigerian outfit Enyimba, the first Nigerian club to win the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League in 2003 and 2004, faces Moroccan heavyweights Wydad Casablanca, who have three titles.
Petro du Luanda from Angola and Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa conclude the quarterfinal matchups.
Petro’s participation will, however, depend on an appeal they have filed with the Angolan Football Association over a discipline matter.
The quarterfinal first legs take place from October 20–22, with the return legs scheduled between October 24–25 to decide the semifinalists.
The inaugural AFL final will be in early November to crown the new champions of Africa.
These quarterfinal clashes pit teams with 43 Champions League titles between them in a battle of the continent's heavyweights.
The AFL's path to glory promises engrossing encounters between African club football's most decorated sides.
Full fixtures:
Quarter-final 1: October 20: Simba vs. Al-Ahly October 24: Al-Ahly vs. SimbA
Quarterfinal 2: October 21: T.P. Mazembe vs. Esperance October 25: Esperance v. T.P. Mazembe
Quarterfinal 3: October 22: Enyimba vs. Waydad Casablanca October 25: Waydad v. Enyimba
Quarter-final 4: October 21: Petro Atletico du Luanda vs. Mamelodi Sundowns October 24: Mamelodi Sundowns vs. Petro Atletico du Luanda
October 29 and November 1, semi-final 1 and semi-final 2.
November 5 and November 11—Final 1 and 2.
Source: CAF













