Berkane and Pyramids complete full TotalEnergies CAF Champions League line-up
The stage is officially set for the 2025/26 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League group stage, with all 16 clubs now confirmed following Pyramids FC and RS Berkane’s qualification over the weekend.
The two clubs sealed their spots with commanding home victories, completing a star-studded line-up that blends continental heavyweights with historic debutants.
Champions march on, Berkane make history
Defending champions Pyramids FC continued their impressive run on the African stage after a professional 2–0 victory over Ethiopian Insurance at the Air Defence Stadium in Cairo on Thursday.
The Egyptian side, who lifted their first CAF Champions League title last season, progressed 3–1 on aggregate thanks to a first-half strike from Mustafa Zico Abdel Raouf and a late own goal that put the tie beyond doubt.
It marks Pyramids’ third successive group stage appearance, reinforcing their rise among the continent’s elite.
Under Croatian coach Krunoslav Jurcic, the Sky Blues have combined tactical discipline with attacking flair — a formula that has already delivered continental and domestic silverware.
Meanwhile in Morocco, RS Berkane etched their name into the competition’s history books on Saturday night by reaching the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League group stage for the first time.
Backed by a passionate home crowd, the 2024 CAF Confederation Cup champions defeated Al Ahli Tripoli 2–1 at the Berkane Municipal Stadium to advance 3–2 on aggregate.
Despite conceding early to Libyan playmaker Muaid Ellafi, Berkane rallied through Paul Bassin’s equaliser and a second-half winner from Ayoub Khairi, capping off a memorable night for the Orange Boys.
Their qualification underlines Morocco’s growing dominance in African football, with AS FAR already through — making Morocco one of the nations with two representatives in the group stage this season.
Heavyweights and challengers confirmed
With the final two places filled, the group stage promises another thrilling campaign featuring the best from every corner of Africa.
Among the confirmed clubs are record 12-time winners Al Ahly (Egypt), four-time champions Esperance de Tunis (Tunisia), and South African powerhouse Mamelodi Sundowns, who qualified for the 11th consecutive year.
They are joined by AS FAR Rabat, MC Alger, JS Kabylie, Petro de Luanda, Simba SC, Young Africans, Stade Malien, Rivers United, Al Hilal Omdurman, Power Dynamos, and St. Éloi Lupopo — a balanced mix of seasoned contenders and ambitious newcomers.
Draw to take place in Johannesburg
The CAF Interclub Group Stage Draw will be conducted on Monday, 3 November, at SuperSport Studios in Johannesburg, beginning at 14:00 SA time (12:00 GMT). The draw will be streamed live across CAF’s official digital channels.
Group-stage matches will kick off later this month, as 16 clubs begin the battle for Africa’s most prestigious club prize — and a place in continental history.
Teams Qualified for the 2025/26 CAF Champions League Group Stage
Al Ahly (Egypt)
Pyramids FC (Egypt)
Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
ES Tunis (Tunisia)
AS FAR Rabat (Morocco)
RS Berkane (Morocco)
MC Alger (Algeria)
JS Kabylie (Algeria)
Petro de Luanda (Angola)
Simba SC (Tanzania)
Young Africans (Tanzania)
Stade Malien (Mali)
Rivers United (Nigeria)
Al-Hilal Omdurman (Sudan)
Power Dynamos (Zambia)
St. Éloi Lupopo (DR Congo)