CAF Champions League
Ahead of Caf Champions League clash: Crisis in Akwa United’s opponents’ camp
BY BASSEY IBIATISUHO
Serbian Zoran Manojlovic, Coach of Algerian Ligue Champions CR Belouizdad has resigned with less than two weeks before the CAF Champions League preliminary match against the Nigerian Champions, Akwa United at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.
Manojlovic last week guided the team to win their second ligue title in a row and eighth in total and his departure alongside his assistant, Karim Sebai is a big blow to the Chabab who also lost their star player Amir Sayoud who according to reports are all heading to Saudi team Al-Taee FC.
According to the club’s General Manager, Hocine Yahi, Spanish coach Juan Garrido, who had led several African clubs in the past including Al Ahly, Raja, ES Sahel, WAC and Tunisian coach Mouine Chaâbani have been contacted for possible replacement before the CAF Champions League clash in Uyo.
Meanwhile, the team has officially opened its training camp at the 20 August stadium in Belouizdad, Algiers ahead of the trip to Uyo as a tweet on the club’s official twitter handle reads “Our first team players have returned to training this morning, as we prepare to face Nigerian side Akwa United in the CAF Champions League.”
The team is expected to arrive Uyo on a chartered flight on Thursday September 9 for the first leg, scheduled for September 12 to be officiated by a trio of Ivorian referees, led by Clément Franklin Kpan, while the return match which will take place a week later on September 19 at 9 p.m. at the stadium Omar Hamadi of Bologhine, and will be led by Libyan referees, led by game director Chihoub Abd El Bassit.
CAF Confederation Cup
Africa’s Elite Clubs Await Fate as CAF Stages Quarter-final Draws

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) will conduct the quarter-final draws for the 2025/26 editions of its two flagship interclub competitions — the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup — on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, at the headquarters of the Egyptian Football Association in Cairo.
The CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final draw is scheduled to begin at 13:00 Cairo time (11:00 GMT), followed by the CAF Champions League quarter-final draw at 14:00 Cairo time (12:00 GMT).
The ceremonies will be broadcast live on CAF’s official YouTube platform, CAF TV, allowing fans across the continent and beyond to follow proceedings in real time.
Road to the Finals Takes Shape
The draws will determine not only the quarter-final pairings but also the pathway to the finals in both competitions, effectively mapping out the remaining knockout journey for Africa’s elite clubs.
With the group stages concluded, the quarter-finals mark the beginning of direct elimination football — a phase traditionally defined by tactical discipline, squad depth and mental resilience. Clubs will be keenly watching the draw to gauge potential heavyweight clashes or favourable routes to the semi-finals.
In the Champions League, former title holders and emerging contenders alike will be hoping to avoid early confrontations against continental heavyweights. Similarly, in the Confederation Cup, where competitive balance has grown in recent seasons, the draw could produce intriguing North-South or West-East showdowns.
Strategic Importance for Clubs
Beyond sporting prestige, progression to the latter stages of CAF competitions carries significant financial incentives, enhanced continental ranking points and increased global visibility. With African club football enjoying expanded broadcast reach and commercial partnerships, success in these tournaments has become both a sporting and economic objective.
Hosting the draws at the Egyptian FA headquarters in Cairo reinforces the city’s status as a nerve centre of African football administration, as clubs await clarity on their next assignments in what promises to be a decisive knockout phase of the 2025/26 campaign.
All eyes will now turn to Cairo as Africa’s road to continental glory becomes clearer.
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CAF Champions League
How RS Berkane Cruised Past Rivers United to Seal Knockout Berth

Moroccan side RS Berkane delivered a commanding 3–0 victory over Rivers United FC to book their place in the knockout stages of the competition.
Berkane imposed themselves early and broke the deadlock in the 35th minute when Youssef Mehri fired into the bottom corner following a swift attacking move.
The hosts doubled their lead seven minutes later as Paul Valère Bassène finished clinically after being played through by Mounir Chouiar, leaving Rivers United with a mountain to climb before halftime.
The contest was effectively settled eight minutes into the second half. Bassène grabbed his second of the night in the 53rd minute, converting from close range after a corner to put the result beyond doubt.
Berkane maintained control for the remainder of the match, limiting Rivers United to speculative efforts and half-chances before comfortably seeing out the encounter.
With the results, Pyramids FC finish top of Group A, while RS Berkane join them in the knockout phase as runners-up, bringing the group stage to a decisive conclusion.
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CAF Champions League
Pyramids Finish Top of Group A with Convincing Win Over Power Dynamos

Reigning CAF Champions League holders Pyramids FC signed off their group-stage campaign in style with a 3–1 victory over Power Dynamos FC on Matchday 6 to secure top spot in Group A.
The Egyptian side made a bright start and went ahead in the 16th minute when Mostafa Ziko rose highest to head home from a corner, underlining their early dominance.
Power Dynamos responded almost immediately. Frederick Mulambia restored parity a minute later, finishing from close range after a well-worked cross to briefly unsettle the hosts.
However, Pyramids regained control midway through the first half. In the 33rd minute, Youssef Obama reacted quickest inside the penalty area to restore the lead, sending the defending champions into the break 2–1 ahead.
The decisive moment came in the 59th minute when Ewerton unleashed a superb right-footed strike from outside the box that nestled into the bottom corner, extending the advantage to 3–1.
Despite late substitutions and sporadic pressure from the visitors, Pyramids managed proceedings comfortably to claim all three points and finish the group stage at the summit.
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