Defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa have been eliminated from this year’s CAF Champions League after they lost 4-3 on penalties to Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca in the second leg of their quarter-final tie at the Prince Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.

Sundowns led 1-0 from their home leg but failed to keep out hosts Wydad as Salaheddine Saidi’s first half strike was enough to force the dreaded penalty shooutout. The home team then went on to emerge 4-3 winners thus sealing a semi-final meeting with USM Alger of Algeria.

USM Alger eliminated Mozambique champions Ferroviario Beira on away goals after a 1-1 aggregate scoreline. Both teams played out a goalless draw in their second leg clash in Algeria with the hosts moving to the next stage having secured a 1-1 draw in the first leg.

Egyptian giants Al Ahly are also through to the last four of the competition following a 4-3 aggregate win over Esperance of Tunisia. After an event-filled 2-2 draw from the first leg in Cairo, Al Ahly showed why they are one of the favourites to win by producing a comeback victory against their hosts.

Al Ahly won 2-1 courtesy second half goals from Ali Maaloul and Nigerian forward Junior Ajayi as they recovered from going down to a 40th minute penalty from Tunisian international Taha Yassine Khenissi. They will next face the winner of the tie between Al Ahli Tripoli of Libya and Etoile du Sahel from Tunisia for a place in the 2017 CAF Champions League final. Al Ahli and Etoile meet in Tunisia on Sunday with the tie delicately poised at 0-0 from the first leg.