The first tickets for last eight round of the African Champions League could be booked at the end of the 5th round of the group phase to be disputed from Friday to Sunday.

At the end of the group stage, the first two sides of each group join the second round.

Following is an update on the different groups:

Group A: In the Sudano-Sudanese clash opposing El Merreikh and El Hilal (4 pts each), the defeated team will be eliminated while Etoile du Sahel (8 pts) has a shot of booking its ticket during its trip to Mozambique.

Group B: Travelling to Zimbabwe, Zamalek (5 pts) could see its chances to reach next level dwindle in case of a setback against CAPS United (3 pts). Neck to neck with seven points each, the two leaders of the group, Al Ahly of Libya and USM Alger, can secure their qualification.

Group C: Reinvigorated by their first victory in this group stage against Saint George (2-1), Vita Club wants to approach the leader, Esperance of Tunis (8 pts), who could book their last eight ticket should they overcome their opponent of the week-end.

In a tricky situation, St-George and Mamelodi Sundowns (5 pts each) clash in a game at the end of which the unfortunate loser will jeopardize its shot to make it to the next level.

Group D: Leader, Zanaco (10 pts) has every chance to validate its ticket as it’s hosting the second of the group, Al Ahly (7 pts).

Morocco’s Casablanca with 6 units, visits the Coton Sport, already eliminated after conceding four consecutive defeats.

Following are the fixtures for the 5th round of the group stage :

Group A

Friday: El Merreikh (Sudan) – El Hilal (Sudan)

Saturday: Ferroviario (Mozambique) – Etoile du Sahel (Tunisia)

Ranking: 1st: Etoile du Sahel (8 pts +6), 2nd: Al Hilal (4 pts 0), 3rd: Merreikh (4 pt -1), 4th: Ferroviario (4 pts -5)

Group B

Friday: Al Ahly (LibyA) – USM Alger (Algeria)

Sunday: CAPS United (Zimbabwe) – Zamalek (Egypt)

Ranking: 1st: USM Alger (7 pts +4), 2nd: Tripoli (7 pts +1), 3rd: Zamalek (5 pts +0), 4th: CAPS (3 pts -5)

Groupe C 

Saturday: St-George (Ethiopia) – Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)

Saturday: Vita Club (DR Congo) – Esperance de Tunis (Tunisia)

Ranking: 1st: Esperance de Tunis (8 pts +3), 2nd: Mamelodi Sundowns (5 pts +1), 3rd: Saint George (5 pts +0), 4th: AS Vita Club (3 pts -4)

Group D 

Saturday: Zanaco (Zambia) – Al Ahly (Egypt)

Saturday: Coton Sport (Cameroon) – WAC (Morocco)

Ranking: 1st: Zanaco (10 pts +2), 2nd: Al Ahly (7 pts +2), 3rd: WAC (6 pts +1), 4th: Coton Sport (0 pt -6).