Al Hilal reach knock-out stage, Al Ahly stunned as quarter-final race tightens

The TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Matchday 4 delivered thrilling encounters across Africa as Al Hilal of Sudan became the first team to advance while others battle to secure their places in the knockout stages.

---

Group A

Al-Hilal Omdurman became the first side to reach the knock-out stage as they maintained their lead at the top with a 1-1 draw against MC Alger. Young Africans kept their quarter-final hopes alive with a resounding 3-1 comeback victory over TP Mazembe in Dar es Salaam. Despite Mazembe’s early lead via Alioune Faty’s penalty, Clement Mzize’s brace and Aziz Ki’s second-half strike secured a vital win for the Tanzanian champions. Al-Hilal now sits on 10 points, five ahead of second-placed MC Alger and are guaranteed a place in the quarter-finals for the first time since 2015.

 

 

 

---

Group B

FAR Rabat solidified their hold on Group B with a 2-0 win over Maniema Union. Goals from Khalid Aït Ouarkhane and El Amine Zouhzouh sealed the victory. In Casablanca, Raja edged Mamelodi Sundowns 1-0 in a fiery clash marked by three red cards. Benaissa Benamar's goal kept Raja's hopes alive. FAR Rabat lead with eight points, followed by Sundowns (5), Raja (4), and Maniema (3).

 

 

 

---

Group C

Orlando Pirates seized the top spot in Group C with a dominant 3-0 win against Stade d’Abidjan, courtesy of goals from Relebohile Mofokeng, Patrick Maswanganyi, and Deon Hotto.

CR Belouizdad ended Al Ahly’s unbeaten streak with a late 1-0 victory in Algiers, moving into second place with six points, trailing the Pirates by two.

 

 

 

 

---

Group D

Pyramids secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Esperance in Cairo, tying the Tunisians at the top of the group standings. Meanwhile, Sagrada Esperança edged Djoliba 1-0, keeping their knockout hopes alive. Both Pyramids and Esperance have seven points, with Sagrada close behind on five.

 

 

---

Matchday 4 Results

Group A

• Al-Hilal Omdurman 1-1 MC Alger
• Young Africans 3-1 TP Mazembe

Group B

• FAR Rabat 2-0 Maniema Union
• Raja Casablanca 1-0 Mamelodi Sundowns

Group C

• Orlando Pirates 3-0 Stade d’Abidjan
• CR Belouizdad 1-0 Al Ahly

Group D

• Pyramids 2-1 Esperance
• Sagrada Esperança 1-0 Djoliba

---

Group Standings

(Updated as of Matchday 4 completion)

Group A

1. Al-Hilal Omdurman - 10 pts
2. MC Alger - 5 pts
3. Young Africans - 4 pts
4. TP Mazembe - 2 pts

Group B

1. FAR Rabat - 8 pts
2. Mamelodi Sundowns - 5 pts
3. Raja Casablanca - 4 pts
4. Maniema Union - 3 pts

Group C

1. Orlando Pirates - 8 pts
2. CR Belouizdad - 6 pts
3. Al Ahly - 7 pts
4. Stade d’Abidjan - 1 pt

Group D

1. Pyramids - 7 pts
2. Esperance - 7 pts
3. Sagrada Esperança - 5 pts
4. Djoliba - 2 pts

---

Next Fixtures: Matchday 5

Group A

• MC Alger v TP Mazembe (10 Jan, 19:00 GMT)
• Al-Hilal Omdurman v Young Africans (12 Jan, 19:00 GMT)

Group B

• Maniema v Mamelodi Sundowns (11 Jan, 13:00 GMT)
• FAR Rabat v Raja Casablanca (11 Jan, 19:00 GMT)

Group C

• Stade d’Abidjan v Al Ahly (11 Jan, 16:00 GMT)
• Orlando Pirates v CR Belouizdad (12 Jan, 13:00 GMT)

Group D

• Sagrada Esperança v Pyramids (11 Jan, 16:00 GMT)
• Djoliba v Esperance (12 Jan, 16:00 GMT)