African giants secure group stage berths in CAF Champions League

Africa’s football powerhouses secured their spots in the 2024-25 CAF Champions League group stages following a thrilling day of second-leg qualification matches on Saturday. Clubs such as TP Mazembe, Al Ahly, Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates, Esperance de Tunis, and Raja Casablanca will be among the teams competing in the prestigious tournament, with the group stage kicking off next month.

TP Mazembe, one of DR Congo’s most successful clubs, defeated Zambia’s Red Arrows 2-1 in Lubumbashi.

Goals from Zemanga Soze and Ameka Autchanga sealed a 4-1 aggregate victory, ensuring their progression to the next stage.

Mazembe’s strong performance reflected their intent to challenge for the title this season.

The day’s only upset came courtesy of another Congolese side, AS Maniema Union, who held Angola’s Petro Atletico to a 0-0 draw away, advancing 2-1 on aggregate.

Petro Atletico, who had consistently reached the group stages for the past five seasons, will miss out on the competition’s final 16 this year.

In South Africa, both Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates delivered convincing home wins.

Sundowns completed a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Eswatini’s Mbabane Swallows, giving them an 8-0 aggregate triumph.

Orlando Pirates, meanwhile, secured a 1-0 win over Botswana’s Jwaneng Galaxy to advance with a 3-0 aggregate.

This marks the first time since the 2021-22 season that two South African teams will feature in the Champions League group stages.

Defending champions Al Ahly of Egypt showed no signs of slowing down, comfortably dispatching Kenya’s Gor Mahia 3-0 in Cairo.

Goals from Rami Rabia, Wessam Abou Ali, and Taher Mohamed secured a 6-0 aggregate win for the record 11-time champions, reinforcing their dominance in the competition.

Tanzania’s Young Africans put on an impressive display, demolishing Ethiopia Bank 6-0 at Stade Amani to advance with a 7-0 aggregate.

Meanwhile, Esperance de Tunis were ruthless in their 8-0 demolition of Somalia’s Dekedaha, with Youcef Belaili scoring a hat-trick to contribute to a 12-1 aggregate thrashing.

Egyptian side Pyramids FC faced a tougher challenge, edging out Rwanda’s APR 3-1 in Cairo to progress 4-2 on aggregate.

Pyramids briefly flirted with an exit due to away goals but managed to secure their spot in the group stage with a solid second-leg performance.

In an all-North African clash, Algeria’s MC Alger triumphed over Tunisia’s US Monastir, winning 2-0 at home with both goals coming in the final 20 minutes.

The result ensured a 2-1 aggregate win for MC Alger, sending them through to the group stage.

Morocco’s Raja Casablanca capitalized on their home advantage to secure a 2-0 win over Ghana’s Samartex, progressing 4-2 on aggregate.

Marouane Zila and Naoufel Zerhouni found the back of the net to send Raja into the next round.

The CAF Champions League action continues today with five more matches, including key fixtures between Sagrada Esperanca and Enugu Rangers, AS Kara and Djoliba AC, and FAR Rabat against Al Merrikh.