African Champions League holders Mamelodi Sundowns and Tunisian duo Esperance and Etoile Sahel reached the competition's quarter-final with one match to spare in the group stage after convincing shows on Saturday. Sundowns defeated Ethiopian side Saint George 1-0, thanks to a late strike from Liberia international Anthony Laffor to advance from Group C along with Esperance, who drew 2-2 with Vita Club in an exciting game. Taha Yassine Khenissi gave Esperance the lead but a double from Tady Etekiama Agity put Vita Club ahead in the first half. However, Khenissi converted a penalty in the 59th minute to secure a share of spoils after Vita Club had Makwekwe Kupa dismissed. Esperance top the group with nine points, one ahead of Sundowns. Saint George are third on five points but cannot overtake Sundowns due to their inferior head-to-head record to the South Africans. In Group A, Etoile Sahel also advanced to the last eight following a 1-1 draw at Mozambique's Ferroviario Beira. They are on top of the group with nine points, two ahead of Sudan's Al-Merreikh and four clear of Ferroviario Beira. The Group D race will go down to the wire after Morocco's Wydad Casablanca secured an easy 2-0 win over Coton Sport of Cameroon to move second with 9 points, two behind leaders Zanaco of Zambia and one ahead of Egypt's Ahly. The final round of the group stage will be played next weekend to determine the rest of the eight teams who will play in the quarter finals. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
