Three teams eased through to the CAF Champions League semi-finals at the weekend, leaving just one berth to be decided in the final round of group matches later this month.

For the first time, Nigeria will have two representatives in the final four after Heartland FC made sure of a top two place in Group B and Kano Pillars dramatically came from behind in Sunday's Group A match against Zesco United of Zambia to secure their spot. Pillars go through from their section along with Al Hilal of Sudan, whose 3-1 derby win over Al Merreikh on Friday was sufficient to establish an unassailable position.

It means the last berth will be fought for by, ironically, by the only two previous winners in this year's field. TP Mazembe Englebert of Congo DR have a two-point advantage over Etoile Sahel and host their Tunisian rivals in Lubumbashi on Sunday. A draw would be enough to see Mazembe through, while Etoile's only hopes rest on claiming maximum points at a venue notoriously unkind to visiting teams.

Etoile kept their hopes alive by beating Monomotapa of Zimbabwe 2-0 on Saturday, while Heartland also did them a favour with an identical scoreline against Mazembe in Owerri. Heartland's win pushed them to the top of the table on 10 points, with John Owoeri grabbing the opening goal in the 39th minute and Uche Agba the second just three minutes later.

It's a veritable final. We'll go to Lubumbashi to try and take our chances.
Etoile Sahel captain Aymen Mathlouthi on the visit to Congo DR

Etoile's victory, meanwhile, was secured by an 11th-minute goal from Mossab Sassi and a second half effort from Cape Verdian import Ja.
"It's a veritable final," said Etoile Sahel captain Aymen Mathlouthi of the vital upcoming trip to Congo DR. "We'll go to Lubumbashi to try and take our chances."

The real drama came in Group A, first on Friday in the Sudanese derby and then again on Sunday in Kano. Al Hilal looked to be in control at half-time after a goal from Malian Demba Barry but, despite going down to ten men, Al Merreikh equalised from the penalty spot through Badraldin Galag. However, the burden of playing at a numerical disadvantage - for the second time in three matches - eventually took its toll on Al Merreikh and Omar Bakheit restored Al Hilal's lead before Efosa Eguakan made sure with a third goal.

Zesco United needed to win away in Kano to keep their hopes alive and took just 50 seconds to break the deadlock, with Lottie Phiri getting onto the end of an early free-kick. Victor Namo had Pillars back level within three minutes but Phiri's second goal ensured Zesco went into the half-time break two goals to the good. The Zambians then missed two good chances at the start of the second half to go even further ahead and eventually paid the price as Namo equalised. Pillars then completed the comeback four minutes from the end when substitute Bello Kofarmata scored the winner.

Although three of the four fixtures on the final weekend of the group phase would seem all but meaningless, the race is not yet over. After all, the top two from each group go through, but the section winners have the advantage of playing at home in the second leg of their semi-final. With top spot yet to be decided in both groups and that one place still up for grabs, it means there is much to play for this coming weekend.