The race for the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League group stage has burst into life with 14 clubs have already confirmed their places among Africa’s elite, with two more spots to be decided next week when Pyramids FC and RS Berkane play their postponed second-leg fixtures.
After a weekend of tense second-leg encounters, giants old and new underlined their pedigree, setting the tone for another captivating season in the continent’s most prestigious club competition.
Record 12-time champions Al Ahly SC marched on with a professional 2–0 aggregate victory over Aigle Noir, showcasing the consistency and control that make them perennial contenders for a 13th continental crown.
In Pretoria, Mamelodi Sundowns once again illuminated African football with their trademark flair, dismantling Nigeria’s Remo Stars 7–1 on aggregate to secure group-stage football for the 11th consecutive season.
The Brazilians’ blend of speed, structure, and tactical intelligence makes them one of the most feared teams in the competition.
Espérance de Tunis, four-time African champions, breezed past Rahimo FC 4–0 on aggregate as they chase their fifth title. Strengthened by smart off-season additions, the Tunisians look primed for another deep run.
From Morocco, AS FAR Rabat booked back-to-back group stage qualifications with a commanding 4–1 aggregate win over Horoya AC.
The army side’s resurgence reflects the discipline and belief fueling their North African dominance.
Algeria will be represented by two clubs this season. JS Kabylie crushed US Monastir 5–1 on aggregate, while MC Alger edged past Cameroon’s Colombe on away goals after a 1–1 tie, returning to the group stage for the first time in years — a nostalgic reminder of their glorious 1976 triumph.
Angola’s Petro de Luanda showed their class once more, dispatching Stade d’Abidjan 4–0 on aggregate as they continue to carry their nation’s flag with pride and purpose.
East Africa will have strong representation too. Simba SC secured Tanzania’s spot with a 3–0 aggregate win over Nsingizini Hotspurs, while Stade Malien impressed with a 3–1 triumph over FC Nouadhibou to restore Mali’s presence at the top table.
Power Dynamos made history for Zambia, holding Vipers SC 1–1 at home to seal a 3–2 aggregate victory and announce their return to the CAF Champions League group stage after years of absence.
Sudanese powerhouse Al-Hilal Omdurman continued their fine continental form, beating Kenya Police 4–1 on aggregate, while St. Éloi Lupopo produced one of the weekend’s most dramatic stories surviving a 3–0 loss to Orlando Pirates in Soweto to level the tie before winning 5–4 in a nerve-racking penalty shootout, marking their long-awaited return to the group stage.
Two fixtures remain unresolved. Defending champions Pyramids FC earned a 1–1 draw away to Ethiopian Insurance and will host the return leg on November 1.
Meanwhile, RS Berkane drew 1–1 away to Al Ahly Tripoli and will seek to finish the job at home next weekend.
The CAF Interclub Group Stage Draw will take place on Monday, November 3, at SuperSport Studios in Johannesburg, starting at 14:00 South African time (12:00 GMT). The draw will be streamed live on CAF’s official digital platforms.
The 16 teams will be divided into four groups of four, with matches kicking off in November. The top two in each group will advance to the quarter-finals as the pursuit of Africa’s ultimate club football prize reaches new heights.
Qualified Teams 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