The CAF Champions League is set for its final group stage matchday this weekend, with anticipation mounting over which teams will advance to the quarterfinals. So far, two sides have already booked their spots: Tunisia’s Espérance de Tunis and South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns. The remaining positions, however, promise plenty of drama and suspense as several clubs jostle for qualification.
In Group A, Wydad AC holds the upper hand in the race for the second qualifying spot. The Moroccan side will host Mamelodi Sundowns this weekend, and a win would secure their passage to the knockout stage. ASEC Mimosas, meanwhile, must travel to face Nigeria’s Lobi Stars and hope that Wydad slips up at home. Only a victory combined with a Moroccan defeat would allow the Ivorian side to advance, making for a high-stakes clash in Enugu.
Group B is already partially settled. Espérance de Tunis has secured the top spot, leaving Horoya AC with a favorable position to claim the second qualification place. The Guinean club hosts Orlando Pirates, and a draw at home will be enough to guarantee progression. With the match set in Conakry, Horoya’s home advantage could play a crucial role in ensuring the team reaches the quarterfinals alongside Espérance.
Group C remains tightly contested. CS Constantine will travel to Lubumbashi to face TP Mazembe in what promises to be a thrilling encounter. Club Africain, trailing in points, is ready to seize any opportunity should either of the group leaders falter. This group has kept fans on edge, with qualification still up for grabs and every result carrying potential consequences for the final standings.
Group D features some of the most high-profile clashes of the weekend. Egyptian giants Al Ahly remain in contention but have yet to guarantee their spot in the knockout stage. They host Algeria’s JS Saoura in Alexandria, needing a win to secure qualification. Meanwhile, AS Vita Club can also punch their ticket to the quarterfinals with a victory over Tanzania’s Simba SC in the second match of the group. With multiple outcomes still possible, Group D could produce some dramatic twists before the final whistle.
The weekend schedule promises a packed slate of action across Africa, with kickoff times carefully staggered to maximize excitement:
Saturday, March 16
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RADES – 13:00 GMT: Club Africain vs. Ismaily SC
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LUBUMBASHI – 13:00 GMT: TP Mazembe vs. CS Constantine
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CONAKRY – 13:00 GMT: Horoya AC vs. Orlando Pirates
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BULAWAYO – 13:00 GMT: FC Platinum vs. Espérance de Tunis
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ALEXANDRIA – 16:00 GMT: Al Ahly SC vs. JS Saoura
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DAR ES SALAAM – 16:00 GMT: Simba SC vs. AS Vita Club
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ENUGU – 16:00 GMT: Lobi Stars vs. ASEC Mimosas
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RABAT – 16:00 GMT: Wydad AC vs. Mamelodi Sundowns
As the CAF Champions League group stage concludes, fans across the continent can expect tension, drama, and high-stakes football. Every match carries potential implications, and the final outcomes will determine which teams have earned the right to compete in the knockout rounds. With multiple qualification scenarios still possible, the weekend promises to deliver some of the most exciting moments of the tournament so far.
