CAF Champions League Results
- Mamelodi Sundowns 3-0 Stade Malien
- Esperance 1-0 Al Ahly
- RS Berkane 1-1 Al Hilal
- FAR Rabat 1-1 Pyramids
South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns and Tunisia’s Esperance were the only winners in their respective first-leg ties, beating Stade Malien and Al Ahly, respectively.
The Brazilians were the biggest winners, beating the Malian side 3-0 with goals from Khuliso Mudau, Iqraam Rayners and Bryan Leon.
The 2016 champions, home to Ugandan international Denis Onyango, are now firm favourites to reach the semifinals of the most lucrative club competition in Africa.
Tunisia’s Esperance edged record African winners Al Ahly 1-0 in Tunis with a sole goal from Mohamed Amine Tougai from the penalty midway through the second half.
Al Ahly will attempt to overturn the deficit on Saturday, March 21, at the Cairo International Stadium.
Other matches ended in stalemates, with holders Pyramids of Egypt holding Morocco’s FAR Rabat in a 1-1 draw in Rabat.
Ahmed Hammoudan put the hosts in an early lead in the 8th minute before Zalak equalised for the champions seven minutes into the second half.
Still in Morocco, hosts RS Berkane needed a late penalty converted by Mounir Chouiar to cancel out Abdelrazig Omer’s early goal with the Sudan side, now playing in the Rwanda league, finishing the game with a man less following a red card to Steven Ebuela.
The return leg matches will be played over this coming weekend to determine who reaches the semi-finals.