Defending champions Al Ahly clinched the remaining quarter final slot in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League after edging out Al Hilal by a solitary goal in Cairo on Sunday night.
A second-half goal from substitute Hussein El Shahat was enough to give the Egyptian giants a 1-0 win in Cairo on Sunday.
Al Ahly’s progress had been in doubt after losing twice to South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, but Pitso Mosimane’s side made sure of second place in Group A.
The record 10-time African Champions League winners become the sixth North African side to reach the last eight, with the seven other qualifiers already decided before the final round of matches.
The victory saw Ahly finish second in Group A with 10 points from three wins and a draw, six points behind group leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
Al Ahly join group winners Sundowns, Raja Casablanca, Esperance and Wydad Casablanca and runners-up Entente Setif, CR Belouizdad and Petro Atletico de Luanda in Tuesday’s quarter-final draw.
Wydad thrashed Petro de Luanda 5-1 in Casablanca while Esperance saw off CR Belouizdad 2-1 in Rades to seal top spot in their respective groups.
In the Caf Confederation Cup, Al Ittihad of Libya picked up the point they needed to reach the knock-out stages while Morocco’s RS Berkane and Tanzanian side Simba SC both won their final matches to progress from Group D.
That trio join Al Ahli Tripoli (Libya), Pyramids (Egypt), Orlando Pirates (South Africa), TP Mazembe (DR Congo) and Al Masry (Egypt) in the draw for the last eight, which will also be held on Tuesday.
