Egypt sets stage for a thrilling CAF Women’s Champions League showcase

Egypt is preparing to welcome the continent’s elite as the fifth edition of the CAF Women’s Champions League brings eight top clubs together for a two-week battle for supremacy, running from 8 to 21 November.

The tournament promises high drama, tactical intrigue and a showcase of the rapid strides being made in African women’s football.

The competition opens in Ismailia with a compelling North African encounter as FC Masar, bronze medallists in the previous edition, take on 2022 champions AS FAR.

Both sides arrive with strong reputations and the experience to mount another challenge for the trophy, setting the tone for what is expected to be a fiercely competitive campaign at the Suez Canal Stadium.

The draw, conducted by Egyptian international Sarah Essam, has thrown newcomers straight into the spotlight.

Equatorial Guinea’s 15 de Agosto and Mali’s USFAS will meet in a matchup rich with curiosity and potential.

With both teams making their debut appearance, the clash offers a fresh narrative in a competition where reputations are often made in rapid fashion.

Group B promises its own compelling storyline.

Defending champions TP Mazembe face a stern opening test against ASEC Mimosas on 9 November.

The Congolese side will aim to pick up where they left off last season, but the Ivorians, steeped in domestic dominance, will be eager to disrupt the established order.

Adding further complexity are Botswana’s Gaborone United and Tanzania’s JKT Queens — two clubs equipped with talent and ambition, ready to seize on any slip in a group where the margins appear razor-thin.

Matches will be shared between two key venues: the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia and Cairo’s Right to Dream Stadium, both regarded as modern platforms capable of enhancing the competition’s growing stature.

Hosting the event reinforces Egypt’s rising influence in the women’s game and its commitment to elevating opportunities on the continental stage.

While pride and prestige remain central motivators, the financial rewards reflect the accelerating investment in women’s football across Africa.

The champions will receive $600,000, with $400,000 reserved for the runners-up — a significant boost for clubs striving to expand their infrastructure and professional development.

Group A
• FC Masar
• AS FAR
• 15 de Agosto
• USFAS

Group B
• TP Mazembe
• ASEC Mimosas
• Gaborone United
• JKT Queens

With established giants and daring newcomers all eyeing the same prize, Egypt prepares to host a tournament rich in possibility — one that could reshape both reputations and ambitions across the continent.