CAF Champions League Group Stage Draw: Al Ahly, Mamelodi Sundowns in Pot 1

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed the seeding pots for the 2025/26 CAF Champions League group stage draw, with South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns placed in Pot 1 alongside defending record champions Al Ahly.

The draw is scheduled to take place in Johannesburg on Monday at 14:00 (SAST), featuring 16 qualified teams from across the continent. Sundowns will represent South Africa as the sole flagbearers after Orlando Pirates were eliminated by DR Congo’s St. Eloi Lupopo.

Joining Sundowns and Al Ahly in Pot 1 are Tunisian powerhouse Espérance Sportive de Tunis and Morocco’s RS Berkane. Defending champions Pyramids FC headline Pot 2, while Nigeria’s Rivers United are placed in Pot 3. St. Eloi Lupopo, who knocked out Pirates, are in Pot 4.

Interestingly, Sundowns could face former head coach Rulani Mokwena, now in charge of MC Alger, who are seeded in Pot 3.

According to CAF, the first team drawn from each pot will be placed in Group A, the second in Group B, the third in Group C, and the fourth in Group D.

Draw Pots:

Pot 1: Al Ahly (Egypt), Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), Espérance Sportive de Tunis (Tunisia), RS Berkane (Morocco)

Pot 2: Simba SC (Tanzania), Pyramids FC (Egypt), Al Hilal SC (Sudan), Young Africans (Tanzania)

Pot 3: Atlético Petroleos (Angola), AS FAR (Morocco), MC Alger (Algeria), Rivers United (Nigeria)

Pot 4: JS Kabylie (Algeria), Stade Malien (Mali), FC St. Eloi Lupopo (DR Congo), Power Dynamos (Zambia)