The race to crown Africa’s best club of 2025 is under way, with five teams emerging as standout contenders after a year defined by continental success, domestic dominance and sustained consistency at the highest level.
African club football has enjoyed one of its most competitive seasons in recent memory, with several sides leaving a clear imprint through their performances across CAF competitions and national leagues.
The race to crown Africa’s best club of 2025 is under way, with five teams emerging as standout contenders after a year defined by continental success, domestic dominance and sustained consistency at the highest level.
African club football has enjoyed one of its most competitive seasons in recent memory, with several sides leaving a clear imprint through their performances across CAF competitions and national leagues.
As voting opens for the Africa d’Or award for African Club of the Year 2025, attention has turned to a shortlist that reflects the diversity and depth of the modern African game.
Pyramids FC have enjoyed a landmark year that reshaped their status on the continent.
أبــــطــــال إفــــريــــقــــيــــا 🌍😍🏆
⚽️ @CAFCLCC_ar#Pyramids | #PFCMSDFC | #TotalEnergiesCAFCL | #ملوك_الكرة pic.twitter.com/gmMD3uEkfz— Pyramids FC (@pyramidsfc) June 1, 2025
The Egyptian side claimed the CAF Champions League for the first time in their history, edging South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns 3-2 on aggregate in a gripping final.
That breakthrough was reinforced by victory in the CAF Super Cup, where a narrow 1-0 win over RS Berkane confirmed Pyramids’ arrival among Africa’s elite and underlined a season of historic achievement.
RS Berkane also feature prominently after a campaign marked by silverware and authority.
24/25 Botola Pro INWI CHAMPIONS!!! 🏆 🧡 pic.twitter.com/SzmF0XB9Vy
— RSB | Moroccan & Africa Champions 🏆🧡🤩 (@RSBfootball) March 16, 2025
The Moroccan club lifted the Botola title and added the CAF Confederation Cup, asserting themselves both domestically and on the continental stage.
Although they fell short in the Super Cup, their qualification for the 2025–26 CAF Champions League and their rise in the CAF rankings point to a club in full stride.
Al Ahly remain an unavoidable reference point in African football. While their Champions League journey ended at the semi-final stage, the Cairo giants continue to lead the CAF club rankings, reflecting a tradition of excellence and regular deep runs in continental competitions that few can match.
📊 Most Followed African Clubs (IG + X + FB + TikTok Combined)
The digital giants of African football.
1️⃣ Al Ahly – 52.2M
2️⃣ Zamalek – 17M
3️⃣ Simba SC – 13.3M
4️⃣ Raja Casablanca – 12.1M
5️⃣ Kaizer Chiefs – 10MFan power on full display. #AfricanFootball pic.twitter.com/4C9t71B0dh
— Micky Jnr (@MickyJnr__) February 4, 2026
South African champions once again, they reached the Champions League final and represented the continent at the Club World Cup, reinforcing their standing as one of Africa’s most reliable performers.
Mamelodi Sundowns, meanwhile, have maintained their reputation for consistency.
🏆 𝔹𝕖𝕥𝕨𝕒𝕪 ℙ𝕣𝕖𝕞𝕚𝕖𝕣𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕡 ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕞𝕡𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕤🏆
Mamelodi Sundowns chairman Tlhopie Motsepe after being crowned the 2024/2025 #BetwayPrem champions!#SABCSportFootball pic.twitter.com/NmewbiWibX
— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) May 18, 2025
Completing the shortlist are Orlando Pirates, whose return to prominence on the continental stage was marked by a strong Champions League run before defeat to eventual winners Pyramids FC.
Their resilience and competitive edge have earned them a place among the year’s best.
Five clubs, five contrasting journeys, and one title at stake. The choice of Africa’s Club of the Year for 2025 now rests with the voters.
Soweto’s fortress enters a new chapter – 𝐎𝐫𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐨 𝐀𝐦𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐥 𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐚
⚫⚪🔴⭐#OrlandoPirates#OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/31il3w5m61
— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) January 27, 2026
