The 2024/25 season of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League will feature several African football powerhouses in the group stages, as defending champions, Al Ahly SC, along with former champions, Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates, and TP Mazembe, all secured their qualification on Saturday afternoon.
In South Africa, 1995 champions, Orlando Pirates clinched their spot in the group stages for the first time in five years, defeating Botswana’s Jwaneng Galaxy 1-0 at home in Soweto. A late goal from the in-form Monnapule Saleng sealed a 3-0 aggregate victory for the Buccaneers.
Mamelodi Sundowns, 2016 champions, also dominated Eswatini’s Mbabane Swallows. After a 4-0 win in the first leg, Sundowns repeated the scoreline at home to wrap up the tie with an 8-0 aggregate victory.
Reigning champions Al Ahly easily progressed to the group stages with a commanding 3-0 win over Kenya’s Gor Mahia in Cairo, matching their first-leg score and advancing with a 6-0 aggregate.
Despite leading 2-0 from the first leg, TP Mazembe faced a tough challenge from Zambia’s Red Arrows in Lubumbashi. However, the five-time champions held on to win 2-1, advancing with a 4-1 aggregate score.
The biggest surprise of the day came in Luanda, where Angolan champions Petro de Luanda were knocked out by DR Congo’s AS Maniema Union. Maniema Union secured a 1-0 victory, having drawn 1-1 in the first leg, marking their first-ever qualification for the group stages.
TotalEnergies CAF Champions League action continues on Sunday, where the remaining spots in the group stages will be decided with several crucial fixtures.
TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Fixtures | Sunday, 22 September:
- 14:00 GMT | Sagrada Esperança vs Enugu Rangers
- 16:00 GMT | Milo vs Stade d’Abidjan
- 16:00 GMT | ASKO vs Djoliba
- 18:00 GMT | AS FAR vs Al-Merrikh
- 19:00 GMT | Al-Hilal vs San-Pedro
