CAF Champions League 2025/26: Powerhouse Clashes As Rivers Face Pyramids and Berkane
3 min read
By Sportsgister
The road to African football glory has officially begun as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) unveiled the 2025/26 CAF Champions League group stage draw on Monday in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Sixteen of the continent’s finest clubs are set to battle for supremacy, and for Nigeria’s Rivers United, the journey begins with a mountain to climb after being placed in one of the toughest groups of the competition.
Group A: Rivers United in Tough Company
Teams: Pyramids FC (Egypt), RS Berkane (Morocco), Rivers United (Nigeria), Power Dynamos (Zambia)
Making their first-ever appearance in the CAF Champions League group stage, Rivers United have been drawn into what fans and pundits are already calling the Group of Death.
The Port Harcourt side face a daunting lineup featuring defending champions Pyramids FC, CAF Confederation Cup holders RS Berkane, and Zambia’s Power Dynamos — all seasoned campaigners with proven continental pedigree.
Head coach Finidi George, who masterminded Rivers United’s historic qualification, will depend on his players’ discipline, organization, and counterattacking edge to compete against some of Africa’s elite.
Pyramids FC remain Africa’s newest football powerhouse, boasting star-studded quality across the pitch. Berkane, still glowing from their Confederation Cup triumph, will aim to make another statement at the top level, while Power Dynamos seek to rekindle Zambia’s once-great continental presence.
Group B: Al Ahly Chase Another Title
Teams: Al Ahly (Egypt), Yanga SC (Tanzania), AS FAR (Morocco), JS Kabylie (Algeria)
Record 11-time African champions Al Ahly headline Group B, which promises fierce rivalries across regions.
Ahly’s experience will be tested by Young Africans (Yanga SC) — the Tanzanian champions who continue to rise in stature — as well as AS FAR of Morocco and JS Kabylie of Algeria, both clubs with rich continental history and passionate fanbases.
This group looks set to deliver classic North African derbies and East African drama in equal measure.
Group C: Sundowns, Hilal, and Mokwena’s Reunion
Teams: Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), Al Hilal (Sudan), MC Alger (Algeria), St Eloi Lupopo (DR Congo)
Group C will see a fascinating tactical subplot as Rhulani Mokwena, now in charge of MC Alger, faces his former team Mamelodi Sundowns.
Sundowns, last season’s runners-up, have been Africa’s most consistent club in recent years, and will look to go one better this time under coach Miguel Cardoso.
They head into the group stage full of confidence after sweeping aside Nigeria’s Remo Stars in the qualifiers. But with Hilal’s physical edge and Lupopo’s unpredictability, this group could spring surprises.
Group D: Tunisian Giants Face Familiar Foes
Teams: ES Tunis (Tunisia), Simba SC (Tanzania), Petro Luanda (Angola), Stade Malien (Mali)
Four-time champions ES Tunis headline a well-balanced Group D that also features Simba SC, Petro Luanda, and Stade Malien.
Simba, who reached last season’s CAF Confederation Cup final before losing to Berkane, will look to continue their resurgence despite the recent departure of coach Fadlu Davids to Raja Casablanca.
With all four sides boasting experience and quality, this group promises close encounters and dramatic finishes.
CAF announced that the group stage matches will take place between November 21, 2025, and February 2026. The quarter-finals and semi-finals are slated for April 2026, while the two-legged final will be played on May 30 and June 6, 2026.
The winners of the Champions League will then face the CAF Confederation Cup champions in the 2026 CAF Super Cup, completing Africa’s club football calendar.
Sedara Philip is a Sports writer, an administrator,Journalist,and editor
