TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Matchday 3: Hilal face test, Esperance clash with Pyramids

The TotalEnergies CAF Champions League enters Matchday 3 this weekend with decisive fixtures across all groups as Al Hilal seek to extent their perfect start to the group stage.

Teams are fighting to strengthen their positions or claim their first victories. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what to expect in each group:

Group A: Al Hilal's Unbeaten Run Faces MC Alger Test

Al Hilal Omdurman heads to Algiers with the aim of extending their perfect start to the group stage. The Sudanese side, on six points, will face a determined MC Alger team that sits second with four points.

MC Alger impressed with their 2-0 victory over Young Africans in the last round and will count on the home crowd at the Stade du 5 Juillet to unsettle Al Hilal.

Meanwhile, TP Mazembe hosts Young Africans in Lubumbashi, with both teams desperate for a win.

 Mazembe, on one point, and Yanga, without a point or a goal, need to spark their campaigns to stay in contention. With both sides struggling offensively, this clash could be tight and decisive.

• Fixtures:
  • TP Mazembe vs. Young Africans - 14 Dec, 13:00 GMT
  • MC Alger vs. Al Hilal Omdurman - 14 Dec, 19:00 GMT

Group B: FAR Rabat Looks to Assert Dominance

FAR Rabat, sitting atop the group with four points, travels to Kinshasa to face Maniema Union, who have two points after two draws.

The Moroccan side has shown resilience in the tournament, and with Mohamed Hrimat leading their attack, they will aim to claim a vital away win.

Maniema, unbeaten in six games across all competitions, will rely on home support and Joseph Bakasu’s creativity to challenge the visitors. 

In Pretoria, Mamelodi Sundowns hosts Raja Casablanca in a clash of continental heavyweights. Sundowns, yet to win in the group, will hope their strong home form, led by Iqraam Rayners, will help them earn three points.

Raja, struggling for form but unbeaten away, will look to Younes Najjari to inspire a turnaround.

• Fixtures:
  • Maniema Union vs. FAR Rabat - 14 Dec, 13:00 GMT
  • Mamelodi Sundowns vs. Raja Casablanca - 15 Dec, 13:00 GMT

Group C: Orlando Pirates Aiming to Solidify Their Position

Orlando Pirates travels to Abidjan to take on Stade d’Abidjan, with the South African side aiming to maintain their unbeaten start.

Pirates, tied with Al Ahly on four points, have relied on Mohau Nkota’s goal-scoring form to stay competitive.

Meanwhile, Stade d’Abidjan, bottom of the group and still winless, will aim to use home advantage to secure their first points. 

With Pirates boasting a six-match unbeaten streak away from home, they will be confident of extending their run. 

Later, Al Ahly will face Belouizdad in a pivotal encounter, with the Egyptian giants eyeing top spot in the group. The match will be played next week as Ahly are playing in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup.

• Fixtures:
  • Stade d’Abidjan vs. Orlando Pirates - 14 Dec, 16:00 GMT
  • Al Ahly vs. Belouizdad - 22 Dec, 16:00 GMT

Group D: Esperance and Pyramids Clash in Radès Showdown

Group D features an exciting top-of-the-table clash as ES Tunis hosts Pyramids in Radès. Both teams, level on four points, are unbeaten and boast solid defenses.

Tunis has yet to concede in this year’s competition and will rely on their stellar home form, unbeaten in 21 games. Pyramids, with Ibrahim Adel leading their attack, will look to breach the Tunisian defense.

In Bamako, Djoliba hosts Sagrada Esperança, with both sides seeking their first group stage victory. Djoliba’s defense has been solid, but their attack has struggled, failing to score in the last two games.

Sagrada will need Cachí to step up if they are to take anything away from Mali.

• Fixtures:
  • ES Tunis vs. Pyramids - 14 Dec, 19:00 GMT
  • Djoliba vs. Sagrada       - 15 Dec, 16:00 GMT

Matchday 3 Fixtures (All timings GMT):

• 14 Dec, 13:00: TP Mazembe vs. Young Africans
• 14 Dec, 13:00: Maniema Union vs. FAR Rabat
• 14 Dec, 16:00: Stade d’Abidjan vs. Orlando Pirates
• 14 Dec, 19:00: MC Alger vs. Al Hilal Omdurman
• 14 Dec, 19:00: ES Tunis vs. Pyramids
• 15 Dec, 13:00: Mamelodi Sundowns vs. Raja Casablanca
• 15 Dec, 16:00: Djoliba vs. Sagrada Esperança
• 22 Dec,  16:00: Al Ahly vs. Belouizdad