CAF Champions League
Al-Ahly to defend CAF Champions League title against first-time finalists Chiefs
A CAF Champions League season stacked with shocks will produce another on Saturday if first-time finalists Kaizer Chiefs Beat nine-time winners Al Ahly in Moroccan economic capital Casablanca.
Many among the millions who support Egyptian and African giants Ahly believe the outcome is not in doubt at Stade Mohammed V, their only questions is the victory margin for the Mohamed el Shenawy-captained Cairo Red Devils.
Yet Chiefs were rank outsiders when the competition kicked off last November and the South African club have already defied massive odds to reach the final.
Although they are two of the biggest names in African football, the teams have met just once, with Ahly winning 4-1 in the one-off 2002 CAF Super Cup match in Cairo.
Ahly reached the 2021 final by winning eight matches, drawing three and losing just one, away to shock Group A winners Simba in Tanzania at the mini-league stage.
Winners of a record 21 CAF titles in four competitions, the Cairo club have scored 23 goals, including five from leading scorer Mohamed Sherif, and conceded just six en route to Casablanca.
They are guided by South African Pitso Mosimane, a childhood Chiefs’ fan who will tie five-title Tunisian Faouzi Benzarti as the most successful African coaches in CAF club competitions if Ahly triumph.
He chooses his team from a mix of Egyptian, Tunisian, Malian and Nigerian stars and, since replacing Swiss Rene Weiler last September, has won 36 of 50 matches in all competitions, drawn 10 and lost four.
His stars include El Shenawy, widely regarded as the best goalkeeper in Africa, full-back Ali Maaloul, midfielders Aliou Dieng and Mohamed ‘Afsha’ Magdy and forward Sherif.
Although Mosimane has ample TV footage of Chiefs, he still labels the Soweto side “mysterious” and “difficult to analyse”.
Also, perhaps playing mind games, he says the South Africans have “scored a lot and conceded a lot” in the Champions League this season.
In fact, the Amakhosi (Chiefs) have averaged less than a goal a game in Africa, notching 12 in 14 qualifying, group, quarter-final and semi-final matches.
11 clean sheets
They conceded four to Wydad Casablanca, three to Simba and two to Horoya in Guinea, but also boast 11 clean sheets.
“I have a little bit of a conflict facing Chiefs,” admits Mosimane. “I am a South African plotting the downfall of my countrymen.
“However, it is about me, my family and my team. They come first. Either I want to give my winners medal to Chiefs or keep it for myself and I think you (media) know the answer to that one.
“Ahly are not a welfare or charitable organisation handing out stars (Champions League winners medals). We want to win what they call ‘El Ashra’ (10th title) in Egypt.”
Chiefs coach Arthur Zwane was part of the team hammered by Ahly in the Super Cup 19 years ago when one of the Egyptian goals was scored by goalkeeper Essam el Hadary from a clearing kick.
He says the desire to please club chairman and former star Kaizer Motaung is a huge factor driving the underdogs, whose lone CAF success came in the 2001 edition of the now defunct African Cup Winners Cup.
“Kaizer formed the club 51 years ago and turned it into the most successful in South Africa, but we have not won anything since 2015 and now is the time to alter that unacceptable statistic.”
Chiefs will rely on a tight defence marshalled by giant centre-back Eric Mathoho, and they can choose from a trio of excellent goalkeepers in Nigerian Daniel Akpeyi, Itumeleng Khune and Bruce Bvuma.
Veteran Zimbabwean Willard Katsande is combative and Nkosingiphile Ngcobo creative in midfield while Serbian forward Samir Nurkovic is a clinical finisher, both on the ground and in the air.
Burundian Pacifique Ndabihawenimana will referee the fourth Champions League final between Egyptian and South African clubs with the north Africans holding a 2-1 lead.
-AFP
By Kunle Solaja
The CAF Champions League 2025/26 second preliminary round produced fireworks on Sunday, with several African powerhouses asserting early dominance.
Among the standout results was a ruthless display by South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, who humiliated Nigeria’s Remo Stars 5–1 in Abeokuta to all but seal qualification for the group stage.
It is the first time a Nigerian club conceded five goals in a home match of a continental competition.
The match, played at the MKO Abiola Stadium, saw the South African champions impose themselves from the outset, showing why they remain one of the continent’s most formidable sides.
Tashreeq Matthews opened the scoring early in the first half, capitalising on a defensive lapse by the home side.
Remo Stars, making only their second appearance in the competition, struggled to match the pace and precision of their visitors.
Before the break, Peter Shalulile doubled Sundowns’ advantage, converting a direct ball from goal kick to beat the entire field as Remo Stars players probably thought the player was offside.
However, there are exceptions to offside rule as players cannot be offside when they receive the ball directly from throw-in, corner kick or goal kick.
The goal highlighted Mamelodi Sundowns’ superior technical quality and tactical discipline.
The second half turned into a one-sided affair. Miguel Reisinho made it 3–0 in the 61st minute, effectively ending any hopes of a Remo Stars comeback.
As the Nigerians pushed forward in search of a response, they were repeatedly punished on the counter. Arthur Sales and Tsiki Ntsabeleng added two more goals to complete the rout and underline Sundowns’ clinical edge.
Remo Stars’ only moment of joy came in the 77th minute, when Samson Olasupo scored a consolation goal following a scramble in the Sundowns’ penalty area. However, it was little more than a brief respite in a night dominated by the visitors’ attacking brilliance.
The 5–1 result leaves the South Africans with one foot firmly in the group stage ahead of the return leg in Pretoria next weekend. For Remo Stars, the daunting task now is to salvage pride and experience from what has been a harsh lesson at the top level of African club football.
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Nigerian champions Remo Stars face the sternest test of their continental campaign this afternoon when they take on South African powerhouse Mamelodi Sundowns in the CAF Champions League second-round, first-leg clash at the Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta.
The match marks a defining moment for the Sky Blue Stars, who are seeking to establish themselves among Africa’s elite clubs after their rapid rise in Nigerian football over the past few seasons.
Facing the 2016 African champions and one of the most dominant sides on the continent, however, presents a formidable challenge.
David vs Goliath Battle
Remo Stars, making only their first appearance in the CAF Champions League second round, will rely on the energy of their youthful squad and the tactical ingenuity of coach Daniel Ogunmodede to contain the attacking flair of Sundowns — a side that has featured in every CAF Champions League group stage since 2018.
Mamelodi Sundowns arrive in Nigeria with an aura of confidence, boasting a squad stacked with experience, including captain Ronwen Williams, midfield maestro Themba Zwane, and Teboho Mokoena.
The South Africans are fresh from domestic victories in the DStv Premiership and will be looking to seize an early advantage before the return leg in Pretoria.
Remo Stars’ Home Advantage
Playing at home, Remo Stars will count on their passionate home fans to inspire them against one of the continent’s most technically efficient sides.
Forward Adams Olamilekan and midfielder Hadi Haruna will be key in unlocking the visitors’ defence, while goalkeeper Obassa is expected to play a vital role in keeping Sundowns’ potent attack at bay.
Coach Ogunmodede’s Confidence
Ahead of the match, coach Ogunmodede expressed confidence in his team’s ability to rise to the occasion.
“We respect Sundowns for what they’ve achieved, but we’re not intimidated. Football is decided on the pitch, and we’re ready to fight for every ball,” he said.
Sundowns Aim to Maintain Continental Dominance
For the visitors, coach Rhulani Mokwena has made it clear that Sundowns are approaching the tie with full focus, aware that a strong first-leg performance could make their job easier back home in Pretoria.
“We know Nigerian teams are tough and physical, but we’ve prepared well. Our goal is to get a positive result and keep our momentum going,” Mokwena told South African media.
For Remo Stars, today’s clash is more than just a football match — it is an opportunity to announce their arrival on the continental stage against one of Africa’s finest football machines.
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In Maputo, Mozambican champions Black Bulls secured a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Nigeria’s Rivers United in the first leg of their CAF Champions League second-round encounter on Saturday.
The tightly contested match was characterized by tactical discipline and limited clear-cut chances, as both sides struggled to find attacking rhythm in the opening half.
However, the breakthrough came just five minutes into the second half, when Moctar Diallo pounced to slot home for the hosts, finally breaching Rivers United’s defensive line.
Despite late pressure from the Nigerian side, Black Bulls held firm to protect their narrow advantage, giving themselves a crucial edge ahead of the return leg.
Rivers United, Nigeria’s sole remaining representative in the competition, will now need to overturn the deficit when the teams meet again in Port Harcourt, where a win by at least two clear goals will be required to advance to the group stage of Africa’s premier club competition.
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