Zambia and TP Mazembe legend Rainford Kalaba has hailed the performances of South African clubs Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns but says Al Ahly are favourites.
The Premier Soccer League (PSL) giants are the only representatives of South Africa in the quarter-finals of the competition, which is once again dominated by the North.
Pirates were drawn against Algerian Ligue 1 champions MC Alger, while Sundowns will take on Esperance Sportive de Tunis, who eliminated them from the semi-finals last season.
“I think Sundowns and Pirates they are representing the Southern Africa [well] in this competition, so I think if they put in the effort, work hard, they can go far,” Kalaba said after the draw in Doha, Qatar on Thursday afternoon.
“They other group [of fixtures] are also difficult, but the team who puts in the most effort will go far – I think Sundowns and Al Ahly [are favourites] they have done a lot in this [competition] and they are doing well. I give Ahly more chance to win this cup.”
The first leg ties will take place on 1-2 April and 2nd leg seven days later on 8-9 April.
