Al Ahly, Sundowns and AS FAR Lead Star-studded TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Group Stage Field
The race to reach the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League group stage has produced 14 confirmed qualifiers, with two remaining berths to be decided next week when Pyramids FC and RS Berkane play their postponed second-leg fixtures.
After a weekend filled with tense second-leg encounters, giants old and new confirmed their place among Africa’s elite, setting the tone for another enthralling campaign in the continent’s most prestigious club competition.
Record holders march on, new challengers emerge
Record 12-time champions Al Ahly SC continued their relentless pursuit of a 13th crown, advancing after a professional 2–0 aggregate victory over Aigle Noir. Their consistency in the competition remains unmatched.
In Pretoria, Mamelodi Sundowns extended their good showing on the continent with an emphatic 7–1 aggregate victory over Nigeria’s Remo Stars, sealing their passage for an 11th straight season. Their combination of pace, precision, and tactical depth once again underlined why the Brazilians are among the favourites for this year’s title.
Esperance Tunis, four-time African champions, also booked their place with minimal fuss after dispatching Rahimo FC 4–0 on aggregate.
The Tunisians, whose last title came in 2019, are eyeing another deep run after strengthening their squad over the off-season.
Elsewhere, AS FAR Rabat secured back-to-back group stage qualifications following a commanding 3–0 home victory over Horoya AC of Guinea, completing a 4–1 aggregate win.
The Moroccan army club’s resurgence continues as it has turned them into one of North Africa’s most disciplined outfits.
Historic returns and narrow escapes
Algerian football will have two representatives this season. JS Kabylie eliminated US Monastir 5–1 on aggregate, while MC Alger returned to the group stage after edging Colombe of Cameroon 1–1 on aggregate via the away goals rule. Their return rekindles memories of their 1976 triumph, which remains one of Algeria’s proudest football moments.
Petro de Luanda carried Angola’s hopes with conviction, recording back-to-back 2–0 wins over Stade d’Abidjan to progress 4–0 on aggregate. The Angolan giants are targeting another strong campaign after making a good impression in recent years.
Simba SC ensured Tanzanian representation with a disciplined 3–0 aggregate win over Nsingizini Hotspurs, while Stade Malien delivered one of the weekend’s standout performances — a 2–0 home win to seal a 3–1 aggregate triumph over FC Nouadhibou, confirming Mali’s presence in the next phase.
For Power Dynamos, qualification came with grit and composure as they held Vipers SC 1–1 at home to clinch a 3–2 aggregate win, marking Zambia’s return to the group stage after a long absence.
Sudanese powerhouse Al-Hilal Omdurman proved too strong for Kenya Police, advancing 4–1 on aggregate following a clinical second-leg win at home.
The most dramatic qualification came from St. Éloi Lupopo, who survived a late scare against Orlando Pirates. Despite losing 3–0 in Soweto to level the tie, the Congolese club held their nerve in a tense penalty shootout to win 5–4, reaching the group stage for the first time in many years.
Two ties still to play
Two fixtures remain unresolved. Last season’s champions Pyramids FC earned a 1–1 draw away to Ethiopian Insurance in their first leg and will host the return fixture on 1 November.
Meanwhile, RS Berkane – the Confederation Cup winners – drew 1–1 away to Al Ahly Tripoli, setting up a decisive second leg in Morocco next weekend.
The completion of these ties will finalise the 16-club roster for this season’s competition.
Draw and what lies ahead
The CAF Interclub Group Stage Draw will take place on Monday, 3 November, at SuperSport Studios in Johannesburg, with proceedings starting at 14:00 SA time (12:00 GMT). The draw will be streamed live on CAF’s official digital channels.
The 16 teams will be divided into four groups of four, with matches beginning in November. The top two in each group will advance to the quarter-finals as the battle for Africa’s biggest club prize intensifies.
Teams Qualified for the 2025/26 CAF Champions League Group Stage
Al Ahly (Egypt)
Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
ES Tunis (Tunisia)
AS FAR Rabat (Morocco)
MC Alger (Algeria)
JS Kabylie (Algeria)
Petro de Luanda (Angola)
Simba SC (Tanzania)
Stade Malien (Mali)
Al-Hilal Omdurman (Sudan)
Power Dynamos (Zambia)
St. Éloi Lupopo (DR Congo)
Young Africans (Tanzania)
Rivers United (Nigeria)
Pyramids FC / Ethiopian Insurance (to be decided)
RS Berkane / Al Ahly Tripoli (to be decided)
