Kabylie, Al Ahly share spoils, AS FAR edge Yanga
- Late Simba equaliser frustrates Petro Atlético
- Dynamos shock RS Berkane to reignite Group A
- Former champions, Al Ahly secure away point, AS FAR Edge Yanga
Defensive organisation and decisive moments in the closing stages defined TotalEnergies CAF Champions League group-stage action on Saturday, 07 February as JS Kabylie and Al Ahly played out a tense goalless draw, while AS FAR secured a crucial late victory against Young Africans to strengthen their qualification push.
Below is a summary of the two late evening group stage clashes of the competition.
Kabylie 0–0 Al Ahly
JS Kabylie were left frustrated after failing to convert a number of promising chances against former African champions Al Ahly in an evenly contested encounter.
The hosts came closest to opening the scoring in the first half when Aymen Mahious struck the post from close range following a dangerous cross by Billal Messaoudi, while Al Ahly goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir produced a series of saves to keep his side level.
Al Ahly responded with spells of pressure through Trézéguet, Aliou Dieng and Mohamed Hany, but Kabylie goalkeeper Gaya Merbah remained alert whenever called upon.
Despite sustained pressure and several set-piece opportunities in the closing stages, Kabylie were unable to find a breakthrough, with Shobeir denying Mostapha Rezkallah Bott late on to ensure the contest ended scoreless.
AS FAR 1–0 Young Africans
AS FAR edged past Young Africans in a tightly fought affair, with patience finally rewarded late in the second half. After an evenly balanced opening period that saw both goalkeepers tested, the breakthrough arrived in the 85th minute when Anas Bach reacted quickest inside the area to fire home a composed right-footed finish.
Young Africans pushed forward in search of an equaliser, having earlier come close through Prince Dube, who struck the post from distance, but FAR Rabat defended resolutely during a lengthy period of stoppage time to secure a vital three points.
The draw keeps both Kabylie and Al Ahly firmly in contention in Group B, while AS FAR’s victory significantly boosts their hopes of progressing to the knockout stages as the group phase approaches its decisive rounds.
Power Dynamos boosted their qualification hopes in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League after securing a vital 2–0 home victory over Morocco’s RS Berkane in a tense Group A encounter in Zambia on Saturday.
Second half goals by Ronel Manyanga and Prince Mumba sealed the important win in Group A at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola
The win, achieved in Matchday 5, not only revived the Zambian side's campaign but also reshaped the group dynamics, keeping the race for the quarter-finals firmly alive behind leaders Pyramids FC.
Berkane arrived knowing a positive result would put them on the brink of qualification, and they began with purpose.
The visitors dominated possession in the opening stages and created several early openings, pressing high and forcing Power Dynamos into a compact, defensive shape during the first 25 minutes.
Despite their territorial advantage, Berkane were unable to turn pressure into goals. Power Dynamos gradually grew into the contest, defending with discipline and looking to exploit moments of hesitation in the Moroccan side’s back line.
The first half ended goalless, with both teams guilty of missed chances in a competitive but cautious opening period.
The decisive moment arrived shortly after the restart. In the 48th minute, a defensive lapse proved costly for Berkane, allowing Ronel Manyanga to pounce and finish calmly from close range to give Power Dynamos the lead and spark celebrations among the home supporters.
Berkane responded by committing more players forward in search of an equaliser, increasing the tempo and pushing Power Dynamos deeper into their own half.
However, the Zambian side remained organised, with their defence holding firm and their goalkeeper rarely troubled by clear-cut efforts.
As the match entered its closing stages, Power Dynamos focused on game management, slowing the tempo and breaking up play effectively. Berkane continued to probe but lacked the cutting edge required to restore parity until Mumba struck at the death to seal the important win for the home side.
The final whistle confirmed a crucial three points for Power Dynamos, lifting them to seven points and level with Berkane in the Group A standings.
The result tightens the battle for qualification, with group leaders Pyramids FC still in control as attention turns to the final round of fixtures.
For Berkane, the defeat leaves their qualification ambitions under threat, while Power Dynamos head into the decisive phase with renewed belief and momentum.
Petro Atlético 1–1 Simba
Petro Atlético missed the chance to move into a commanding position in Group D of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League after being held to a late 1–1 draw by Tanzania’s Simba SC in Luanda on Saturday.
The Angolan champions appeared on course for a crucial victory that would have reshaped the qualification race, only for a late equaliser to deny them two valuable points in a match that underlined the fine margins at the business end of the group stage.
Petro Atlético made a bright start on home soil and were rewarded in the 13th minute when Pedro Pinto opened the scoring. Sustained early pressure forced Simba onto the back foot and Pinto took full advantage, finishing confidently to give the hosts an early lead and lift the atmosphere inside the stadium.
Buoyed by the breakthrough, Petro controlled long spells of the first half, moving the ball with purpose and repeatedly probing Simba’s defensive lines. However, their inability to convert dominance into a second goal would later prove costly.
Simba, already out of contention for qualification, gradually grew into the contest after the interval. The Tanzanian side showed resilience and discipline, tightening up defensively and beginning to threaten on the counter as Petro’s intensity dropped.
That persistence paid off nine minutes from time. In the 81st minute, Anicet Ora capitalised on a moment of defensive confusion to steer the ball home, silencing the home crowd and dramatically altering the complexion of the match.
The late goal sparked urgency from Petro Atlético, who pushed forward in search of a winner during the closing stages. Despite mounting pressure and several late deliveries into the box, Simba remained organised and held firm to secure a share of the points.
The draw lifts Petro Atlético to six points, leaving them third in Group D and level with Espérance de Tunis, while Simba remain bottom of the standings with two points, still without a victory in the group stage.
Kabylie 0–0 Al Ahly
JS Kabylie were left frustrated after failing to convert a number of promising chances against former African champions Al Ahly in an evenly contested encounter.
The hosts came closest to opening the scoring in the first half when Aymen Mahious struck the post from close range following a dangerous cross by Billal Messaoudi, while Al Ahly goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir produced a series of saves to keep his side level.
Al Ahly responded with spells of pressure through Trézéguet, Aliou Dieng and Mohamed Hany, but Kabylie goalkeeper Gaya Merbah remained alert whenever called upon.
Despite sustained pressure and several set-piece opportunities in the closing stages, Kabylie were unable to find a breakthrough, with Shobeir denying Mostapha Rezkallah Bott late on to ensure the contest ended scoreless.
AS FAR 1–0 Young Africans
AS FAR edged past Young Africans in a tightly fought affair, with patience finally rewarded late in the second half. After an evenly balanced opening period that saw both goalkeepers tested, the breakthrough arrived in the 85th minute when Anas Bach reacted quickest inside the area to fire home a composed right-footed finish.
Young Africans pushed forward in search of an equaliser, having earlier come close through Prince Dube, who struck the post from distance, but FAR Rabat defended resolutely during a lengthy period of stoppage time to secure a vital three points.
The draw keeps both Kabylie and Al Ahly firmly in contention in Group B, while AS FAR’s victory significantly boosts their hopes of progressing to the knockout stages as the group phase approaches its decisive rounds.