Mamelodi Sundowns match Al Ahly record with winning start to 11th straight CAF Champions League campaign
Mamelodi Sundowns opened their 11th consecutive CAF Champions League group campaign with a confident 3-1 win over St Eloi Lupopo on Saturday in Pretoria.
The result underlined their status as a dominant force in African club football and reinforced expectations for another deep run in the competition.
Their streak equals the tournament record shared with Egyptian heavyweights Al Ahly, confirming Sundowns’ remarkable consistency at the highest level of the continental game.
It also highlights a period of sustained excellence rarely matched in modern African football.
Sundowns have reached the knockout stage in nine of their previous ten group appearances, making progression almost routine for the South African champions.
Their challenge has often come later in the competition, where the margins tighten and experience becomes decisive.
They have missed the final in eight of the past ten campaigns, despite reaching it twice during that period. Their breakthrough came with the 2016 title, but last season ended in disappointment as they fell to Pyramids over two legs.
Reaching the group phase remains a major priority for clubs across Africa, especially with prize money rising significantly.
The Confederation of African Football has increased financial rewards in recent seasons to elevate competition standards and strengthen club structures.
The winners will receive $4 million, while runners-up collect $2 million. Semi-finalists earn $1.2 million each, and quarter-finalists take home $900,000. Teams eliminated in the group stage still secure a substantial $700,000.
This year marks the 30th edition of the Champions League, introduced in 1997 with an eight-team group phase and a straight final.
The competition has expanded to reflect growing participation and commercial value across the continent.
Orlando Pirates, who reached last season’s semi-finals, will not feature in the group stage after an upset elimination by Lupopo. Their absence represents one of the early surprises of the qualifying rounds.
Al Ahly and Esperance have extended their record appearances to 23 group-stage qualifications each. They have missed only seven editions apiece, with Ahly last absent in 2015 and Esperance in 2016.
Sundowns now enter the group stage for the 13th time overall, placing them level with Zamalek for fourth-most appearances. Only TP Mazembe, with 14 qualifications, sit ahead among African clubs outside the North African giants.
