TotalEnergies CAF Champions League: Group Stage Matchday 3 Round-up
The third round of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League group stage delivered thrilling encounters, late drama, and decisive victories across the continent.
From Al Hilal’s stunning win in Algiers to Esperance Tunis’ dominance in Radès, the matches showcased Africa’s elite clubs battling for crucial points at the halfway stage of the competition.
South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns secured their first win, while Orlando Pirates maintained their grip on Group C despite being held to a draw.
Group D saw Esperance Tunis take command with an impressive victory over Pyramids, while a goalless draw between Djoliba and Sagrada kept things tight.
With the group standings taking shape, the race for knockout qualification intensifies as teams prepare for the decisive second half of the campaign.
Here's a group-by-group summary of all the action, results, and upcoming fixtures:
Group A
Al Hilal Omdurman continued their dominant start with a hard-fought 1-0 win over MC Alger in Algiers, courtesy of Guessouma Fofana’s header in the 76th minute. The Sudanese side now leads the group with nine points. Earlier in the day, Mazembe and Young Africans played out a dramatic 1-1 draw. Cheick Fofana gave Mazembe the lead before Prince Dube’s stoppage-time equalizer rescued a point for Yanga. MC Alger remains second with four points, while Mazembe and Yanga trail with two and one point, respectively.
Group B
Mamelodi Sundowns earned a crucial 1-0 victory over Raja Casablanca, thanks to Iqraam Rayners’ 65th-minute strike. The South African side now shares the top spot with FAR Rabat, who drew 1-1 against Maniema Union. Exaucia Moanda’s first-half goal for Maniema was canceled out by To Carneiro’s second-half equalizer for FAR Rabat. Raja Casablanca remains bottom with one point, struggling to find form in the competition. The group remains wide open as Sundowns and Rabat push for qualification.
Group C
Al Ahly’s moved to the top of the group after thumping CR Belouizdad 6-1 in their postponed match, taking the Egyptian giants to the top of the group. The victory propels Al Ahly to the top of Group C with seven points, two ahead of second-placed Orlando Pirates, who drew with Stade d’Abidjan in the group’s other Matchday 3 fixture last week. Orlando Pirates maintained their spot at the top of Group C after a 1-1 draw with Stade d’Abidjan. Evidence Makgopa’s penalty put Pirates ahead, but Ousmane Méité’s 53rd-minute equalizer ensured a share of the spoils. Stade d’Abidjan dominated late on but were thwarted by Pirates’ goalkeeper Sipho Chaine.
Group D
Esperance Tunis cemented their lead in Group D with a commanding 2-0 victory over Pyramids. Youcef Belaïli’s first-half strike and Elias Mokwana’s goal before halftime sealed the win. In the group’s other match, Djoliba and Sagrada Esperança played out a tense goalless draw. Djoliba struck the woodwork twice but couldn’t break through Sagrada’s resilient defense. Esperance leads with seven points, while Pyramids are second on four points. Djoliba and Sagrada remain winless with two points each.
Matchday 3 Results
Group A
- MC Alger 0-1 Al Hilal Omdurman
- TP Mazembe 1-1 Young Africans
Group B
- Mamelodi Sundowns 1-0 Raja Casablanca
- Maniema Union 1-1 FAR Rabat
Group C
- Stade d’Abidjan 1-1 Orlando Pirates
- Al Ahly 6-1 CR Belouizdad (22/12/2024)
Group D
- Esperance Tunis 2-0 Pyramids
- Djoliba 0-0 Sagrada Esperança
Current Standings
Group A
| Team | MP | W | D | L | G | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Al Hilal Omdurman | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5:1 | +4 | 9 |
| MC Alger | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2:1 | +1 | 4 |
| TP Mazembe | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2:3 | -1 | 2 |
| Young Africans | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1:5 | -4 | 1 |
Group B
| Team | MP | W | D | L | G | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FAR Rabat | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4:2 | +2 | 5 |
| Mamelodi Sundowns | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2:1 | +1 | 5 |
| Maniema Union | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2:2 | 0 | 3 |
| Raja Casablanca | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1:4 | -3 | 1 |
Group C
| Team | MP | W | D | L | G | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Al Ahly | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 10:3 | +7 | 7 |
| Orlando Pirates | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3:2 | +1 | 5 |
| CR Belouizdad | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3:8 | 0 | 3 |
| Stade d’Abidjan | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3:6 | -3 | 1 |
Group D
| Team | MP | W | D | L | G | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Esperance Tunis | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6:0 | +6 | 7 |
| Pyramids | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5:3 | +2 | 4 |
| Sagrada Esperança | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1:5 | -4 | 2 |
| Djoliba | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0:4 | -4 | 2 |
Next Round of Fixtures (All times in GMT)
Group A
- 03.01.2025, | Al Hilal Omdurman vs MC Alger
- 03.01.2025, | TP Mazembe vs Young Africans
Group B
- 03.01.2025, | FAR Rabat vs Maniema Union
- 03.01.2025, | Raja Casablanca vs Mamelodi Sundowns
Group C
- 03.01.2025, | CR Belouizdad vs Al Ahly
- 03.01.2025, | Orlando Pirates vs Stade d’Abidjan
Group D
- 03.01.2025, | Sagrada Esperança vs Djoliba
- 03.01.2025, | Esperance Tunis vs Pyramids