CAF Champions League
Pyramids Chase Perfect Group Stage as Power Dynamos Face Cairo Test
Defending champions Pyramids FC will aim to complete a flawless CAF Champions League group-stage campaign when they host Zambia’s Power Dynamos at the Air Defense Stadium on Saturday.
The Cairo-based side has already secured its place in the quarter-finals after a dominant run that has yielded 13 points from five matches. Their qualification was sealed in emphatic fashion with a 4–1 away victory over Nigeria’s Rivers United in the previous round.
Pyramids have recorded four wins and a draw so far and are determined to wrap up the group phase without tasting defeat.
While top spot is already guaranteed for the Egyptian side, the race for the second qualifying ticket remains finely balanced.
Morocco’s RS Berkane and Power Dynamos are tied on seven points, each with two wins, one draw and two losses. That scenario makes Saturday’s encounter a must-win fixture for the Zambian visitors, who must secure a positive result in Cairo to keep their quarter-final hopes alive.
Despite having already booked a place in the knockout stage, Pyramids coach Krunoslav Jurčić insists his side will maintain a winning mentality as they seek to carry momentum into the next phase.
“We are playing to win and to collect three points. We want to finish the group stage in the best possible way to maintain our rhythm and enter the knockout rounds with momentum,” Jurčić said during Friday’s pre-match press conference.
The 56-year-old tactician, however, confirmed plans to rotate his squad due to a congested fixture schedule.
“This is a good chance to give playing time to players who have not featured regularly. Preparing all squad members is essential for us to continue our journey with the same strength in the coming period,” he added.
Winter signings, including Jordanian goalkeeper Odeh Al-Fakhouri and former Zamalek midfielder Nasser Maher, are expected to feature after impressing off the bench in the previous outing. Zambian winger Pascal Phiri could also be handed a starting role.
For Power Dynamos, the task is formidable. The Zambian side not only need a result against the group leaders but will also be seeking revenge for their 1–0 home defeat to Pyramids in November.
Should RS Berkane and Power Dynamos finish level on points at the end of the group stage, qualification will be decided by head-to-head records — a scenario that currently favours the Moroccan club.
With pride, momentum and a quarter-final berth at stake, Saturday’s clash in Cairo promises high tension despite Pyramids’ early qualification.
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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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