Nuno Santos leads CAF Champions League assist rankings ahead of final

Nuno Santos remains the leading assist provider in the 2025–2026 CAF Champions League as attention turns to the upcoming final, despite missing the semi-finals through health concerns.

The Portuguese playmaker, who represents Mamelodi Sundowns, has registered five assists in the competition so far, placing him at the top of the standings for creative contributions.

His absence in both legs of the semi-final against Espérance de Tunis did not affect his position, underlining the impact he made earlier in the campaign.

Santos, a former Benfica player, is now expected to return for the final, where Sundowns will face Moroccan side AS FAR.

His potential comeback could provide a timely boost for his team as they prepare for one of the most important fixtures of the season.

The assist rankings offer a snapshot of the competition’s most influential creators, highlighting players who have played key roles in their teams’ progress to the latter stages of the tournament.

Behind Santos, several players are closely contesting the top spots.

Aubrey Modiba of Mamelodi Sundowns has recorded four assists, matching the contributions of Aimen Abdelaziz Lahmeri of JS Kabylie and Mamadou Traoré of Stade Malien.

Moez Haj Ali, who has featured for two clubs during the competition, has also registered four assists.

A group of players follow with three assists each, reflecting the competitive nature of the rankings.

Among them are Mohamed Chibi of Pyramids FC, Billal Messaoudi of JS Kabylie, Maxi Nzengeli of Young Africans, and Abdramane Konaté of Espérance de Tunis.

Further down the list, a number of players have contributed two assists, demonstrating their role in creating scoring opportunities for their respective teams.

These include Zinédine Machach of Renaissance de Berkane, Walid El Karti of Pyramids FC, and Chiheb Jebali of Espérance de Tunis.

Chahreddine Boukholda and Mohamed Réda Halaïmia, both representing MC Alger, are also among those with two assists.

Espérance de Tunis’s Mohamed Amine Ben Hamida features on the list as well, alongside Abdelrahman Magdi of Pyramids FC.

Other players with two assists include Aimen Mahious of JS Kabylie, Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane of Al Ahly, Walieldin Khidir of Al-Hilal Omdurman, and Selemani Mwalimu of Simba SC.

The rankings underline the spread of creative talent across clubs competing in this season’s CAF Champions League, with contributions coming from players representing a wide range of countries and teams.

As the final approaches, attention will not only be on goalscorers but also on those capable of providing decisive passes.

Santos’s return could be particularly significant, given his position at the top of the assist standings and his influence in Sundowns’ attacking play.

The upcoming final between Mamelodi Sundowns and AS FAR is expected to bring together some of the competition’s standout performers, with the assist rankings offering insight into the players who have shaped the tournament so far.

For Sundowns, the possible return of their leading playmaker adds another dimension to their preparations, as they aim to capitalise on the creativity that has helped carry them to the final