Mazembe Englebert claimed the last CAF Champions League semi-final berth at the weekend, eliminating pre-competition favourites Etoile Sahel in the process. A 1-0 home win over the Tunisians in Lubumbashi not only ensured the Congolese side advanced, but also proved enough for them to finish top of Group B and, consequently, earn the advantage of playing the second leg of their last-four fixture at home.

Tshizeu Katembo's 35th-minute goal was enough for the victory, although Mazembe only needed a draw for qualification. They finished with 12 points, two ahead of the Nigerian side Heartland. Katembo reacted quickest to a rebound from Tresor Mputu's shot to end the hopes of Etoile, the 2007 champions.

Heartland secured qualification in the group phase's penultimate round, but were surprisingly beaten by bottom-placed Monomotapa in Harare. The Nigerians must now face compatriots Kano Pillars in the semi-finals, ending the possibility of a maiden CAF Champions League final between clubs from the same country.

Monomotapa, who had sacked coach Rodwell Dhlakama on the eve of the match and replaced him with Taurai Mangwiro, won 2-1 on Sunday. Tawanda Nyamandwe scored a 71st-minute winner at the Rufaro Stadium.

Kano Pillars finished top of Group A, ahead of Al Hilal of Sudan after a weekend in which both sides also relaxed and showed little of the application that had characterised their previous performances. Pillars finished with 11 points, one more than Al Hilal, who were beaten by Zesco United in Zambia on Saturday.

Pillars drew 1-1 with Al Merreikh in Sudan later on Saturday, although only made sure of the point with an 88th-minute Joseph Thompson equaliser. The hosts, seeking their first victory of the group phase, had taken a 22nd-minute lead through a Rtshard Justin Lado penalty.

Al Hilal, who now meet Mazembe in the other semi-final, saw their hopes of top place fade in a six-minute spell in the second half of their game in Lusaka. First, Enock Sakala netted on 73 minutes, much to the delight of the home crowd, before Nicholas Zulu secured the win 11 minutes from time.

The first legs of the last-four ties will be played in Owerri and Khartoum in early-October, with the return legs in Kano and Lubumbashi a fortnight later.