Defending champions Pyramids of Egypt have been eliminated from the CAF Champions League, paving way for a new champion to emerge in the 2025/26 campaign.

South African side Mamelodi Sundowns, Tunisian’s Esperance and Moroccan duo, FAR Rabat and RS Berkane, will clash in the semi-finals of Africa’s premier competition.

Sundowns will meet Esperance over two legs next month, while FAR Rabat and RS Berkane will battle it out in the other last four clash.

Sundowns advanced 3-2 on aggregate over Stade Malien. It marks a fourth consecutive semi-final appearance for Sundowns, underlining their growing consistency among Africa’s elite clubs, even as they were pushed to the limit away from home.

Esperance produced a stunning performance in Cairo to eliminate Al Ahly from the Champions League, sealing a dramatic 3-2 victory on the night and a 4-2 aggregate triumph to reach the semi-finals.

The Tunisian giants, who had already claimed a narrow 1-0 advantage in the first leg in Rades, overturned an early deficit and struck a decisive late winner to silence the Cairo International Stadium and end the hopes of Africa’s most decorated club.

Moroccan club Berkane struck deep into stoppage time to seal a dramatic 1-0 victory over Al-Hilal on Sunday and book their place in the semi-finals.

With the tie finely balanced at 1-1 from the first leg, the Moroccan side delivered a decisive blow in the 93rd minute to claim a 2-1 aggregate triumph, ending Al-Hilal’s campaign in heartbreaking fashion.

Defending champions Pyramids FC were knocked out after a 2-1 home defeat to Morocco’s FAR Rabat, who sealed a 3-2 aggregate victory to reach the semi-final.