Only one place in the CAF Champions League semi-finals remains up for grabs in this weekend's final round of group games, although there will be plenty of jostling for position as the line-up for the last four takes shape.

Nigeria's two representatives, Heartland FC and Kano Pillars, are already through to the last four for the first time, and they will be joined by Al Hilal of Sudan, who reached the same stage of Africa's leading club competition just two years ago. Now the battle for the final berth comes down to a straight confrontation between the only two previous winners remaining in this year's field: TP Mazembe Englebert and Etoile Sahel.

Mazembe, whose last success came some four decades ago, need only draw at home in the Group B match in Lubumbashi to progress, while 2007 winners Etoile must win at the Stade Kenya in the southern Congolese city. It represents a Herculean task for Etoile, who had emerged as the pre-tournament favourites after holders Al Ahly of Egypt were knocked out in the final preliminary round.

The Tunisians are a team in transition and have been uninspiring on the road this year, losing in both Zimbabwe and Nigeria in their two previous away group matches. Yet while there is little evidence to suggest that they will be able to engineer a major transformation, the side have made the trip determined to cause an upset.

The vital factor for us to not to concede and hopefully that will set us up for possible win.
Etoile Sahel assistant coach Kaies Ghodhbane

Etoile's assistant coach Kaies Ghodhbane won several continental titles during his days as an influential midfielder for the club and the Tunisian national team. He insists that there is hope but readily admits the odds are stacked against them.

"It's a complicated affair," he said. "We know we face a really difficult opponent who is well prepared and ready to advance to the next stage. Physically, our players are ok after our last match and mentally the spirit is high before the trip. The vital factor for us to not to concede and hopefully that will set us up for possible win."

Mazembe might need only a point to advance but will have all three on their agenda in a bid to finish ahead of Heartland FC in the standings. That will ensure they get to play at home in second leg of their semi-final tie. The winner of Group A plays the Group B runners-up and vice-versa in the final four next month. Heartland play away at Monomotapa of Zimbabwe, who are out of contention but making overtures about bowing out in style.

In Group A, the placings are also important to both Al Hilal and Kano Pillars despite their qualification. Both sides are away from home for their final games, with Hilal in Zambia to face Zesco United and Pillars travelling to Sudan to meet bottom-placed Al Merreikh, still seeking their first win of the group stage.

Al Hilal have the advantage at the top of the standings and it will be ironic if their domestic arch-rivals Al Merreikh do them a major favour by beating Pillars, thereby ensuring Hilal finish top of the group.