CAF Champions League
Quarter-final race intensifies, FAR Rabat and Raja set for Moroccan derby showdown
The penultimate round of the CAF Champions League group stage kicks off on Friday, with teams across all groups battling to secure quarter-final spots.
Al Hilal of Sudan is the only team assured of progression, leaving the other clubs fighting for the remaining slots.
Group A
Sudanese giants Al Hilal Omdurman, already through to the quarterfinals, host Young Africans on Sunday in a clash that could shape the final standings.
Al Hilal leads the group with 10 points and will aim to solidify their dominance. Young Africans, buoyed by their comeback win over TP Mazembe on Matchday 4, need a positive result to keep their qualification hopes alive.
Meanwhile, MC Alger will look to strengthen their position when they host Mazembe on Friday. A win for the Algerians would move them closer to securing the second quarter-final slot.
Group B
Morocco’s FAR Rabat will seek to secure their place in the next round when they host Raja Casablanca in a high-stakes Moroccan derby on Saturday.
FAR Rabat sits atop the group with eight points and needs just a draw to advance. Raja, coming off a narrow victory over Mamelodi Sundowns, will aim to avenge their first-round loss to their domestic rivals. Sundowns travel to Congo to face Maniema Union, with both sides desperate for points to remain in contention.
Group C
Orlando Pirates lead Group C but face a tough test at home against CR Belouizdad on Sunday.
The Pirates, on eight points, can secure qualification with a win. Belouizdad, sitting two points behind, will look to build on their dramatic victory over Al Ahly.
The Egyptian title holders, now third in the group, must defeat bottom-placed Stade d’Abidjan on Saturday to avoid a shock early exit.
Group D
Group D remains finely poised, with Pyramids and Esperance tied on seven points. Pyramids travel to Angola to face Sagrada Esperança on Saturday, needing a draw to book their spot in the next round. Sagrada, on five points, will look to capitalize on home advantage. Meanwhile, Esperance will visit Djoliba on Sunday, seeking to rebound from their loss to Pyramids and secure their qualification.
Matchday 5 Fixtures
Group A
- MC Alger v TP Mazembe – 10 Jan, 19:00 GMT
- Al Hilal Omdurman v Young Africans – 12 Jan, 19:00 GMT
Group B
- Maniema Union v Mamelodi Sundowns – 11 Jan, 13:00 GMT
- FAR Rabat v Raja Casablanca – 11 Jan, 19:00 GMT
Group C
- Stade d’Abidjan v Al Ahly – 11 Jan, 16:00 GMT
- Orlando Pirates v CR Belouizdad – 12 Jan, 13:00 GMT
Group D
- Sagrada Esperança v Pyramids – 11 Jan, 16:00 GMT
- Djoliba v Esperance – 12 Jan, 16:00 GMT
-CAF
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Egypt’s Pyramids claimed a deserved 2-1 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa. This led to a 3-2 aggregate success. They celebrated their first African Champions League title. This triumph occurred following the second leg of this year’s final at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo on Sunday.
The first leg in Pretoria finished 1-1. Fiston Mayele gave Pyramids the lead on 23 minutes. He profited from a Sundowns defensive error. Ahmed Samy doubled the advantage on 56 minutes. He scored with a header from a free-kick.
Sundowns pulled a goal back through Iqraam Rayners with 15 minutes remaining. One more goal would have given them victory in the tie on the away goals rule. However, Pyramids held firm despite heavy pressure from the visitors.
Pyramids are the fourth Egyptian side to lift the Champions League trophy after record 12-time winners Al Ahly, Zamalek, and Ismaily. Meanwhile, 2016 champions Sundowns head to this month’s Club World Cup in the United States on a low note.
-Reuters
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- 1. Pyramids aim to become the first new CAF Champions League winner since Sundowns (2016), the 13th in the modern era, and the 27th overall.
- 2. This is the 19th Champions League-era final featuring an Egyptian club. Previous teams (Al Ahly 10, Zamalek 1) have won 11 titles.
- 3. Including the pre-Champions League era, this is the 29th final for an Egyptian club, with 18 wins and 10 losses.
- 4. Pyramids have played only 1 of their last 9 matches at home but are unbeaten in their last 23 home games this season (W19 D4) and last 28 overall (W24 D4).
- 5. Pyramids scored in 22 of 23 home games this season; the only blank was a 0-0 draw vs Al Masry.
- 6.This season, they’ve won all 7 home matches, scoring 26 and conceding 6, with one clean sheet. In total, they’ve lost just 1 of 11 home matches in the competition.
- 7. Fiston Mayele leads with 8 goals in 12 matches (5 since group stage); Ibrahim Adel has 6 (also 5 post-group stage).
- 8. Ramadan Sobhi has 5 assists in 9 games (joint-most), plus 2 goals. He’s had major impact off the bench twice.
- 9. Askary Chibi has created 20 chances since the group stage — the most for Pyramids.
- 10. Pyramids have kept 3 clean sheets this season, all away, but remain dominant at home
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- 1. Sundowns are in their third CAF Champions League final (2001, 2016, 2024).
- 2. South African Record: First South African club to reach three finals, surpassing Orlando Pirates (2).
- 3. Sundowns hosted the first leg in all three finals. In 2001, they drew 1-1 at home and lost 2-0 away to Al Ahly.
- 4. Sundowns beat Zamalek 3-0 at home, lost 1-0 away, and won 3-1 on aggregate.
- 5. Sundowns have never scored in an away leg of a Champions League final, conceding five in total.
- 6. The current final marks the second time Sundowns led at home and failed to win (also in 2001).
- 7. A defeat would make Sundowns the first South African side to lose two finals.
- 8. Sundowns are unbeaten in their last 10 matches vs Egyptian opposition (4wins and 6 draws).
- 9. Sundowns are unbeaten in their last 4 visits to Egypt (2 wins and 2 draws).
- 10. A win would make Sundowns the first team since Al Ahly (2012) to win the title after failing to win the home leg.
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