Full List: Seven Teams Qualify For CAF Champions League Quarter-finals

Seven clubs have secured qualification for the quarter-final stage of the CAF Champions League following the conclusion of Saturday’s group fixtures.

Naija News reports that the latest round of matches produced decisive results across different groups, with North and Southern African sides dominating the qualification race as the competition moves into its knockout phase.

In one of the standout fixtures, Espérance de Tunis defeated Petro Atlético 2-0 to secure their place among the final eight.

Egyptian side Pyramids FC also confirmed progression with a convincing 3-1 victory over Power Dynamos.

Morocco’s RS Berkane delivered a dominant performance, thrashing Nigeria’s Rivers United 3-0 to advance.

Elsewhere, Sudanese giants, Al Hilal, edged Saint-Éloi Lupopo 1-0 to confirm their qualification.

Following the latest round of matches, the seven clubs that have booked quarter-final spots are:

1. Pyramids FC
2. Al Ahly
3. Al Hilal
4. Espérance de Tunis
5. Stade Malien
6. Mamelodi Sundowns
7. RS Berkane

Meanwhile, more group stage fixtures are scheduled for Sunday, with one remaining team expected to complete the quarter-final lineup.

The final qualification spot will be determined after the conclusion of the last set of group matches, setting the stage for what promises to be a fiercely contested knockout phase.

Meanwhile, World football’s governing body, FIFA, will on Monday deliver a verdict that could dramatically alter Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup.

At the centre of the storm is a formal petition lodged by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) against the Democratic Republic of Congo Football Association over the alleged fielding of six ineligible players during last year’s African play-offs.

Nigeria were knocked out on penalties in Morocco, a defeat that appeared to end their qualification campaign. However, the NFF insists the matter is far from settled.

“We believe that we have a chance; that is why we petitioned. If we knew we didn’t have a chance, we wouldn’t have petitioned,” NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi said, stressing that Nigeria followed due process in submitting documents and legal arguments.

The case hinges on FIFA’s rules regarding nationality switches. Under existing regulations, a player may change international allegiance only once and must complete a formal approval process.

Nigeria’s argument, reportedly supported by material cited by BBC Sport, suggests that the Congolese FA misrepresented key details about the players’ status, particularly given DR Congo’s domestic prohibition of dual citizenship.

The situation has garnered wider attention due to the reported involvement of CAF General Secretary Véron Mosengo-Omba, who has close ties to FIFA President Gianni Infantino. With both sides reportedly ready to escalate the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport if necessary, FIFA is understood to be handling the file with extreme care.

Should Nigeria’s protest succeed, the Super Eagles would be reinstated into the intercontinental play-offs in Mexico later this month, where they would face the winner of Jamaica versus New Caledonia for one of the final tickets to the 2026 tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.