CAF Champions League: The 4 clashes to watch on matchday one

Africa 21 November 2025 at 02:17

Imed Ben Amara

News Editor

The CAF Champions League returns this weekend for the opening round of the group stage.

Football fans are in for a treat with several exciting fixtures on the horizon. Here are the four must-watch showdowns on the first day of the group stage.

Al Hilal (Sudan) - MC Alger (Algeria)

Both clubs enter this new Champions League campaign with high ambitions. This Arab derby promises to be fiercely contested, even though the Sudanese football giants will be counting on their extensive African experience to make a statement in their opener.

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Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) – Saint-Éloi Lupopo (Democratic Republic of Congo)

This unpredictable clash pits a South African side stacked with talented players against a Congolese team that pulled off a major upset by qualifying for the group stage at the expense of last season’s semi-finalists, Orlando Pirates.

Young Africans (Tanzania) – AS FAR (Morocco)

Another encounter that promises to be just as tightly contested. The Tanzanian powerhouse remains formidable at home, while their Moroccan counterparts boast several quality players in their ranks.

Al Ahly (Egypt) – JS Kabylie (Algeria)

The Egyptian juggernauts face a tough assignment against an Algerian side that has often caused them problems in Africa’s premier club competition.

Related teams and leagues

Al Ahly SC

CAF Champions League