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South African sides Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates took a step closer to the semifinals of the CAF Champions League following crucial victories in their respective quarterfinal ties on Tuesday.

Sundowns edged Esperance Tunis 1-0 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Johannesburg. Namibian striker Peter Shalulile scored the only goal of the game nine minutes into the second half of a dominant display by the hosts.

The Pirates defeated MC Alger 1-0 in Douera. Mohau Nkota netted the winner five minutes after coming off the bench, also giving Orlando a precious away goal. Pirates also had goalkeeper Sipho Chaine to thank after he pulled off several crucial saves to keep his side in the tie.

Meanwhile, Egyptian giants and defending champions Al Ahly beat Sudan’s Al-Hilal Omdurman 1-0 in Cairo courtesy of an early first-half goal by Mohamed Hany. Al Ahly remains on course to win the trophy for a third successive season.

The day’s final game saw Pyramids thrash Morocco’s FAR Rabat 4-1. Congolese forward Fiston Mayele scored twice. Ibrahim Adel added another goal as the Egyptian side raced into a 3-0 lead before Abdelfattah Hadraf pulled one back for the visitors on the stroke of halftime.

Adel grabbed his second midway through the second half as the Egyptian side gave themselves a commanding lead to take into the second leg.

The return legs will be played on April 8, with the exception of the match between Orlando Pirates and MC Alger which takes place on April 9.