Algerian clubs ES Setif, USM Alger and El Eulma made history in the CAF Champions League on the weekend by advancing to the group phase of the competition and giving their country an unprecedented three places in the round of the last eight.
No fewer than three Algerian teams booked their place in the 2015 CAF Champions League group stages over the past weekend for the first time in the history of the competition.
Shocks were at a plenty as perennial heavyweights Al Ahly, CS Sfaxien and Esperance saw their Champions League journey cut short. The trio will now enter the CAF Confederations cup where they will partake in a play-off round for a place in the group stages.
Currently Africa's top ranked national side, Algeria, will have three representatives in this years groups stages following MC El Eulma's 7-6 penalty shoot-out win over CS Sfaxien on Sunday evening. The two legs ended all square at 1-1.
El Eulma join defending champions ES Setif and USM Alger who beat Raja Casablanca and AS Kaloum respectively for a place in the final eight.
Sudan will also be well represented with two teams booking their place in the group stages of this years tournament. Al-Merrikh edged Tunisian giants Esperance and Al-Hilal eliminated SM Sanga Balende in the second round.
Joining the Algerians and Sudanese side's are four time champions TP Mazembe, Moroccan outfit Moghreb Tétouan who trumped eight time winners Al Ahly and Egyptian side Smouha who beat Congolese side AC Leopards 2-1 over two legs.
CAFCL group stages:
TP Mazembe, ES Setif, Al Hilal, Al Merriekh, USM Alger, Moghreb Tétouan, MC El Eulma, Smouha
Teams that fall into the CAFCC:
Raja Casablanca, AC Leopards, Al Ahly, Stade Malien, Esperance, AS Kaloum, Sanga Balende, CS Sfaxien
The draw for the Group stage will take place in Cairo, Egypt on Tuesday 5 May at 9h00 GMT.