The Confederation of African Football (CAF) will conduct the quarter-final draws for the 2025/26 editions of its two flagship interclub competitions — the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup — on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, at the headquarters of the Egyptian Football Association in Cairo.

The CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final draw is scheduled to begin at 13:00 Cairo time (11:00 GMT), followed by the CAF Champions League quarter-final draw at 14:00 Cairo time (12:00 GMT).

The ceremonies will be broadcast live on CAF’s official YouTube platform, CAF TV, allowing fans across the continent and beyond to follow proceedings in real time.

Road to the Finals Takes Shape

The draws will determine not only the quarter-final pairings but also the pathway to the finals in both competitions, effectively mapping out the remaining knockout journey for Africa’s elite clubs.

With the group stages concluded, the quarter-finals mark the beginning of direct elimination football — a phase traditionally defined by tactical discipline, squad depth and mental resilience. Clubs will be keenly watching the draw to gauge potential heavyweight clashes or favourable routes to the semi-finals.

In the Champions League, former title holders and emerging contenders alike will be hoping to avoid early confrontations against continental heavyweights. Similarly, in the Confederation Cup, where competitive balance has grown in recent seasons, the draw could produce intriguing North-South or West-East showdowns.

Strategic Importance for Clubs

Beyond sporting prestige, progression to the latter stages of CAF competitions carries significant financial incentives, enhanced continental ranking points and increased global visibility. With African club football enjoying expanded broadcast reach and commercial partnerships, success in these tournaments has become both a sporting and economic objective.

Hosting the draws at the Egyptian FA headquarters in Cairo reinforces the city’s status as a nerve centre of African football administration, as clubs await clarity on their next assignments in what promises to be a decisive knockout phase of the 2025/26 campaign.

All eyes will now turn to Cairo as Africa’s road to continental glory becomes clearer.

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Reigning CAF Champions League holders Pyramids FC signed off their group-stage campaign in style with a 3–1 victory over Power Dynamos FC on Matchday 6 to secure top spot in Group A.

The Egyptian side made a bright start and went ahead in the 16th minute when Mostafa Ziko rose highest to head home from a corner, underlining their early dominance.

Power Dynamos responded almost immediately. Frederick Mulambia restored parity a minute later, finishing from close range after a well-worked cross to briefly unsettle the hosts.

However, Pyramids regained control midway through the first half. In the 33rd minute, Youssef Obama reacted quickest inside the penalty area to restore the lead, sending the defending champions into the break 2–1 ahead.

The decisive moment came in the 59th minute when Ewerton unleashed a superb right-footed strike from outside the box that nestled into the bottom corner, extending the advantage to 3–1.

Despite late substitutions and sporadic pressure from the visitors, Pyramids managed proceedings comfortably to claim all three points and finish the group stage at the summit.

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Al-Hilal Omdurman clinched top spot in Group C of the CAF Champions League on Saturday, while Mamelodi Sundowns secured qualification in second place after a tense final round that saw MC Alger bow out of the competition.

With all four teams still in contention heading into Matchday 6, the group delivered suspense until the final whistle.

Hilal Edge Lupopo to Seal First Place

In Omdurman, Hilal knew that victory over Saint Eloi Lupopo would guarantee top spot regardless of events elsewhere. The Sudanese champions rose to the occasion, edging the Congolese side 1-0 to finish on 11 points.

Stephen Eboli proved decisive in the 26th minute, firing a powerful low strike beyond the Lupopo goalkeeper to calm the home supporters and put Hilal in command.

The encounter was far from routine. Mohamed Abdel Rahman Gharbal had earlier appealed for a penalty after going down inside the box in the 18th minute, but his claims were waved away. Lupopo’s task became more difficult just before half-time when Bedi Junior was dismissed for a second yellow card following a shirt pull.

Despite being reduced to ten men, Lupopo believed they had found an equaliser in the 72nd minute, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside. The drama intensified four minutes later when Hilal were also reduced to ten after Salah Adel received a red card, setting up a tense finale.

However, the Sudanese side held firm to preserve their narrow advantage and confirm qualification as group winners.

Sundowns Produce Clinical Display in Pretoria

In Pretoria, Sundowns delivered a commanding 2-0 victory over MC Alger to reach nine points and claim the remaining quarter-final berth.

The South African champions struck early through Colombian forward Brian Leon Muniz, who reacted quickest to a rebound in the sixth minute to give the hosts an immediate advantage.

Knowing that only a win would secure progression, Sundowns maintained control and doubled their lead in the 64th minute. Muniz again made the difference, meeting a low cross inside the area and finishing clinically to complete his brace and effectively extinguish MC Alger’s hopes.

The Algerian side, who began the day with seven points, pressed forward in search of a lifeline but were met by disciplined defending and tactical maturity from Sundowns. The final whistle confirmed their elimination from a tightly contested group.

Final Standings

Hilal finished top with 11 points, two clear of Sundowns on nine. MC Alger placed third with seven points, while Lupopo ended bottom on five.

Hilal now advance as group winners and will face one of the runners-up from the other sections, while Sundowns must prepare for a potentially tougher draw against one of the competition’s group leaders.

Group C, finely balanced throughout the campaign, ultimately delivered drama befitting the CAF Champions League — and two deserving quarter-finalists.

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