CAF Champions League
No breakthrough in Pretoria as Sundowns and Al Ahly share the spoils
African heavyweights Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly cancelled each other out in a tense 0-0 draw in the first leg of their CAF Champions League semi-final at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on Saturday.
The highly anticipated clash between the South African champions and Egypt’s record 14-time title holders produced few clear chances but plenty of tactical intrigue, as both sides looked to gain a psychological edge ahead of the decisive second leg in Cairo.
Sundowns entered the match with hopes of capitalising on home advantage, but Al Ahly’s defensive resilience and experience in high-stakes continental showdowns proved decisive in keeping the hosts at bay.
The home side dominated possession early on and looked to assert themselves with efforts from Teboho Mokoena and Lucas Ribeiro Costa. However, they struggled to break through a disciplined Al Ahly defence marshalled by Mostafa Al Aash and Yasser Ibrahim.
Al Ahly came closest to scoring just before half-time when Nejc Gradisar saw his header crash off the post after being set up by Emam Ashour. Sundowns responded with efforts from Marcelo Allende and Peter Shalulile, but neither side could find the cutting edge in the final third.
Substitutions in the second half saw both coaches—Miguel Cardoso for Sundowns and Marcel Koller for Al Ahly—try to tilt the balance in their favour. Arthur Sales and Iqraam Rayners were introduced for the hosts, while Achraf Bencharki and Akram Tawfik came on for the visitors.
But the breakthrough never arrived, with both goalkeepers—Ronwen Williams and Mohamed El Shenawy—largely untested despite moments of attacking promise.
The draw leaves the tie finely poised ahead of next weekend’s return leg at the Cairo International Stadium, a venue where Sundowns have traditionally struggled.
Al Ahly, unbeaten at home in the CAF Champions League since 2021, will now fancy their chances of securing a place in the final as they chase a record-extending 15th continental crown.
For Sundowns, who last lifted the trophy in 2016, the goalless first leg means they must do what they have failed to do in previous visits to Cairo—win.
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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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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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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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