The CAF Champions League returns this weekend with the third round of group-stage matches, setting the stage for a series of high-stakes encounters as clubs across the continent intensify their push for qualification to the knockout phase.
The headline fixture of the round will see Morocco’s Renaissance Berkane lock horns with Egypt’s Pyramids FC in a highly anticipated Arab showdown. The meeting is a repeat of the CAF Super Cup clash held in Cairo, where Pyramids claimed victory, and Berkane will be keen to settle the score this time around. Both sides currently sit atop Group A with six points apiece, making Saturday’s encounter crucial in the battle for a quarter-final spot.
Renaissance Berkane are determined to bounce back from their Super Cup disappointment and strengthen their grip on qualification with a positive result. Pyramids, the defending champions, head into the clash with confidence and squad stability under Croatian coach Krunoslav Jurcic.
The Egyptian outfit continue to rely on their attacking threat, spearheaded by right-back Mohamed Chibi and Congolese forward Fiston Mayele, while new signing Hamed Hamdan of Palestine is tipped to play an influential role in midfield.
Group A will also feature a contest between Zambia’s Power Dynamos and Nigeria’s Rivers United as both sides look to boost their chances of progression.
In Group B, another intriguing Arab duel awaits as Algeria’s JS Kabylie host Morocco’s FAR Rabat on Saturday. Elsewhere, Egyptian giants Al Ahly will welcome Tanzania’s Young Africans to the Borg El Arab Stadium in Alexandria on Friday. Al Ahly currently lead the group with four points, level with Young Africans but ahead on goal difference, while JS Kabylie and FAR Rabat occupy the bottom two spots with one point each.
JS Kabylie are chasing their first win under German coach Josef Zinnbauer, while FAR Rabat are also seeking a breakthrough result with Portuguese tactician Alexandre Santos at the helm. Al Ahly, coached by Yes Torop, will be aiming to claim maximum points against Young Africans to move clear at the top of the group. The Tanzanian side are led by Pedro Gonçalves, a former head coach of the Angolan national team.
Group C promises fireworks on Friday when Sudan’s Al-Hilal travel to South Africa to face Mamelodi Sundowns, while Algeria’s Mouloudia take on Congo’s Saint-Lipopo. Sundowns and Al-Hilal currently share the lead with four points each, with Mouloudia and Saint-Lipopo trailing on one point apiece. Al-Hilal, under Romanian coach Laurentiu Reghecampf, will be seeking a positive away result against Sundowns, who are guided by Portuguese coach Miguel Cardoso.
In Group D, Esperance of Tunisia will be eager to make amends with their supporters when they host Tanzania’s Simba, while Stade Malien take on Angola’s Petro de Luanda. Petro de Luanda lead the standings with four points, ahead of Stade Malien on goal difference, while Esperance and Simba are level on two points.
