The draw for the CAF Champions League quarterfinals was made in Cairo on Tuesday evening and it has paired South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns with Tanzanian outfit Young Africans.

It is a favorable draw for Rulani Mokwena’s side who have avoided one of the more traditional African powerhouses like in Tunisia’s Esperance. A draw against Esperance would also have entailed significantly longer travel times.

Instead, Esperance meets ASEC Mimosas of Ivory Coast. Defending Champions Al Ahly will face Simba – another Tanzanian outfit, while TP Mazembe, who finished behind The Brazilians in their pool have been drawn to face Petro Luanda of Angola in the fourth quarterfinal.

The games are scheduled to be played on the weekends of March 29-30 – with the group runners-up playing at home first. The return matches will be played the following weekend – 5 and 6 April.

Historically speaking Sundown’s opponents were the weakest side in the draw, this is the first time they have made the tournament’s last eight. Simba have reached the quarters on three occasions but have never gone further, while Petro have played once in the semifinals. Each of the other sides has won at least one CAF Champions League title, with Al Ahly winning the trophy an incredible 11 times.