Egypt continues to dominate African club football after retaining the top position in the latest CAF Five-Year Ranking, while Algeria has overtaken Morocco for second place in the standings for 2025.
The latest rankings, which determine the number of club representatives each country gets in CAF’s intercontinental competitions, saw several shifts among the top teams.
The new rankings mean that Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, and South Africa will continue to have two teams each in the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup.
However, Morocco’s drop to third marks a significant shift in the hierarchy of North African football dominance.
Algeria overtakes Morocco
Algeria climbed to second place in the rankings after consistently strong performances from its clubs in both the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup.
With a total score of 130 points, Algeria surpassed Morocco, which now holds third place with 127 points.
Moroccan clubs struggled in recent seasons compared to their dominant displays in previous years, leading to the drop in ranking.
Tunisia Moves Up, Tanzania Drops
Another significant movement saw Tunisia move up to fifth place in the rankings, overtaking Tanzania, which slipped to sixth.
Tunisian clubs have historically been strong competitors in CAF tournaments, and their resurgence has been rewarded in the latest standings.
Meanwhile, Tanzania’s drop to sixth highlights a slight dip in the performances of its representatives in continental competitions.
DR Congo Slips to Eighth
One of the biggest declines in the latest rankings came from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), which fell to eighth place.
Once a powerhouse in African club football, the nation’s clubs have struggled to maintain consistency in recent years.
DR Congo’s drop means that Angola has now moved up to seventh place, further consolidating its growing influence in African football.
Ivory Coast Edges Past Libya
Ivory Coast also made a move in the rankings, overtaking Libya to claim the 10th position.
With a total of 38 points, the West African nation showed signs of resurgence in club competitions, a positive development for Ivorian football.
Botswana and Senegal Make Gains
Further down the rankings, Botswana and Senegal made some of the most significant improvements.
Botswana moved up three places to 16th, while Senegal climbed four places to 17th.
These gains reflect improved performances from clubs in these nations, boosting their standing in African club football.
CAF Qualification Spots Remain the Same for Top 12
The top 12 teams in the CAF rankings continue to enjoy the privilege of having four representatives in continental competitions—two in the CAF Champions League and two in the CAF Confederation Cup.
This means Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, South Africa, Tunisia, Tanzania, Angola, DR Congo, Sudan, Ivory Coast, Libya, and Nigeria will all benefit from multiple club entries in CAF tournaments next season.
With the latest rankings reflecting the shifting balance of power in African football, clubs from across the continent will be eager to improve their standings in the upcoming CAF club competitions.
The battle for continental supremacy remains as competitive as ever, with teams looking to make their mark on Africa’s biggest club stages.
CAF Five-Year Ranking (2025)
Egypt – 170.5 points
Algeria – 130 points
Morocco – 127 points
South Africa – 111 points
Tunisia – 82.5 points
Tanzania – 72.5 points
Angola – 55 points
DR Congo – 45 points
Sudan – 40 points
Ivory Coast – 38 points
Libya – 24 points
Nigeria – 21 points
Mali – 18.5 points
Ghana – 16 points
Guinea – 12 points
Botswana – 8.5 points
Senegal – 8 points
