Orlando Pirates or Mamelodi Sundowns? Former Kaizer Chiefs star makes bold Caf Champions League claim - 'Al Ahly will win this tournament'

Former Kaizer Chiefs player Junior Khanye has claimed that Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates will not secure the Caf Champions League title this season, rather, Egypt's Al Ahly may emerge as the champions.

The two Premier Soccer League giants advanced to the quarter-finals of the tournament, with Bucs finishing first in Group C and Masandawana taking the second spot in Group B.

Despite the promising performances from Pirates and Sundowns in Africa, Khanye feels they could progress to the semi-finals but won’t be able to win the trophy, as he believes Ahly will take the title.

"Al Ahly will win this tournament. Pirates can lose in the same final or the final, between those two. Winning the trophy. No, Al Ahly is going to win the final, write it down," Khanye said on iDiski TV iDiski TV.

"But I don't take anything from Pirates, they did very well and showed character against Al Ahly, they have top-class players.

"I don't see Mamelodi Sundowns progressing to the final, I am very straightforward, maybe they can reach the semi-finals, but I don't see them in the final," he added.

"I am very disappointed with how Sundowns played today. They dominated the game but they couldn't create chances. They tend to be a team that scores one goal and defends, and this can not work for them, Cardoso should fix that. But well done for these big two teams, it shows that there is an improvement in the country." 

Interestingly, Pirates and Sundowns could potentially meet each other in the quarter-finals and if that occurs, it means that one of the teams will not reach the semi-finals.

Al Ahly, a team Khanye believes will triumph in this year's edition, has won the Caf Champions League 12 times, while Bucs and Downs have each won it once.

The Egyptian Premier League team faced Jose Riveiro's side during the group stage campaign, where the South African team earned four points over two encounters.

Pirates and Sundowns are now waiting for their Champions League quarter-final opponents, as Caf has yet to announce when the draw will occur.

Both teams will now focus on the domestic league. Bucs will take on Royal AM at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Thursday, while Downs will face Magesi FC the day before the Pirates match.