Nigeria’s Rivers United have been drawn in what many are calling the “Group of Death” for the 2025/2026 CAF Champions League, alongside defending champions Pyramids FC of Egypt, RS Berkane of Morocco, and Power Dynamos of Zambia.
The official draw, held on Monday at the SuperSport studios in Johannesburg, produced several thrilling fixtures that promise one of the most competitive group stages in the tournament’s history.
A total of seven former African champions will feature in the group stage, alongside titleholders Pyramids FC, underscoring the depth of quality and pedigree across the continent.
Group A will see a highly anticipated rematch between Pyramids FC and RS Berkane, who clashed in last season’s CAF Super Cup — a game the Egyptians narrowly won 1–0. Rivers United and Power Dynamos complete the lineup, setting the stage for a fierce battle for knockout qualification.
Record 12-time champions Al Ahly of Egypt headline Group B, where they will face Young Africans (Tanzania), AS FAR (Morocco), and JS Kabylie (Algeria) in a pool loaded with continental heavyweights.
In Group C, Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa lock horns with Al Hilal (Sudan), MC Alger (Algeria), and St Éloi Lupopo (DR Congo) — all boasting rich histories and passionate followings.
Group D features Tunisia’s Espérance de Tunis, four-time winners of the competition, alongside Simba SC (Tanzania), Petro de Luanda (Angola), and Stade Malien (Mali) — ensuring more top-tier matchups across Africa.
The Group Stage will kick off between November 21 and 23, with two rounds of fixtures to be played before the CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025. Matches will resume from January 23 to 25, 2026, with the knockout rounds starting on March 13, 2026.
The eventual CAF Champions League winners will pocket $4 million, while the runners-up will earn $2 million.
CAF Champions League Group Stage Draw
Group A: RS Berkane (Morocco), Pyramids FC (Egypt), Rivers United (Nigeria), Power Dynamos (Zambia)
Group B: Al Ahly (Egypt), Young Africans (Tanzania), AS FAR (Morocco), JS Kabylie (Algeria)
Group C: Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), Al Hilal (Sudan), MC Alger (Algeria), St Éloi Lupopo (DR Congo)
Group D: Espérance de Tunis (Tunisia), Simba SC (Tanzania), Petro de Luanda (Angola), Stade Malien (Mali)
CAF Interclub Group Stage Fixtures
- MD1: Nov. 21–23
- MD2: Nov. 28–30
- MD3: Jan. 23–25
- MD4: Jan. 30–Feb. 1
- MD5: Feb. 6–8
- MD6: Feb. 13–15
