CAF Champions League
Trezeguet Double Sends Al Ahly Top of CAF Champions League Group B
Al Ahly climbed to the summit of CAF Champions’ League Group B after Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet scored twice to secure a 2-0 victory over Tanzania’s Young Africans in Alexandria on Friday night.
The Egyptian giants made their decisive moments count at the Borg El Arab Stadium, with Trezeguet’s goals either side of half-time extending Al Ahly’s unbeaten run in the group stage and moving them clear at the top of the standings.
Despite the outcome, it was Young Africans who began the contest on the front foot. The Tanzanian side showed no sign of being overawed by the occasion, troubling Al Ahly early through Allan Onkell and a series of swift counter-attacks.
Al Ahly goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir was called into action inside the opening 15 minutes, producing a sharp save before Yasser Ibrahim cleared the danger as the visitors threatened to take control.
While Al Ahly enjoyed the bulk of possession, clear chances were scarce until stoppage time at the end of the first half. Their first real opening proved decisive.
Mohamed Hany swung in an inviting cross from the right and Trezeguet rose above his marker to guide a header into the net, the ball slipping under the Young Africans goalkeeper’s hand to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.
Young Africans continued to press after the restart and went close again when a low drive nearly caught Shobeir out, but the Al Ahly keeper reacted smartly to preserve the advantage.
As the second half wore on, Al Ahly asserted greater control and sealed the result in the 75th minute. Trezeguet collected the ball inside the penalty area, shifted it onto his right foot and fired a powerful finish into the net to complete his brace and underline his growing influence in the competition.
Young Africans almost pulled one back late on, only for Shobeir to produce another fine save, while Al Ahly passed up opportunities to add a third goal in the closing stages.
The victory lifts Al Ahly to seven points from three matches, placing them top of Group B, while Young Africans remain second on four points as the group edges towards its decisive phase.
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Mamelodi Sundowns and Sudanese giants Al-Hilal Omdurman played out an absorbing 2-2 draw in their CAF Champions League Group B encounter on Friday night, a result that keeps both sides firmly in contention for qualification.
The match at Loftus Versfeld ebbed and flowed, producing moments of quality and drama as momentum swung between the two teams.
Sundowns began with early intent but were stunned in the 15th minute when Omer Abdelraziq punished a rare lapse in the home defence, arriving unmarked at the near post to power home the opener for Al-Hilal.
The response from the South African champions was immediate. Just five minutes later, Arthur Sales restored parity, finishing calmly from close range after Nuno Santos expertly switched play to expose the Al-Hilal backline.
The remainder of the first half developed into a tactical battle, with Sundowns dominating possession but struggling to break down a compact and disciplined Al-Hilal defence. The visitors were forced into an early change before the interval when Ousmane Diouf was withdrawn through injury.
Sundowns eventually found a breakthrough midway through the second half, capitalising on a cleverly worked short corner. Teboho Mokoena was released on the edge of the area and unleashed a fierce drive into the near corner to give the hosts the lead.
However, their advantage proved short-lived. Just six minutes later, Abdelraziq struck again, sliding home from a low cross to complete his brace and draw Al-Hilal level once more.
The visitors were reduced to ten men late on after Emmanuel Flommo was sent off, but Sundowns were unable to capitalise on their numerical advantage as Al-Hilal held firm to secure a valuable point.
The draw leaves both teams well placed in Group B, with qualification still very much in their sights as the CAF Champions League campaign continues.
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CAF Champions League
CAF Champions League, Confederation Cup Return as Group Stage Hits Midway Point
African club football returns to centre stage this weekend as the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup resume with Matchday 3 of their 2025/26 group stages, beginning on Friday, 23 January.
Following the conclusion of the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025, attention now shifts back to the continent’s elite clubs, who re-enter continental competition at a crucial point in their campaigns.
With two rounds already completed before the AFCON break, the third matchday marks the halfway stage of the group phase and is expected to play a decisive role in shaping the race for quarter-final qualification.
Champions League: Midway battles take shape
The CAF Champions League restart is highlighted by a blockbuster opening on Friday, when record champions Al Ahly host Tanzania’s Young Africans in Cairo. Later the same day, South African heavyweights Mamelodi Sundowns face Sudanese side Al Hilal Omdurman in Pretoria, a clash likely to influence the balance of power in Group C.
Saturday brings another headline fixture as Morocco’s RS Berkane take on defending champions Pyramids FC of Egypt in a high-profile Group A encounter. Across the weekend, teams will be seeking either to consolidate strong starts or revive fading qualification hopes as the competition reaches its midpoint.
CAF Champions League fixtures (All times GMT)
Group A
Saturday, 24 January
13:00 — Power Dynamos FC (ZAM) vs Rivers United FC (NGA)
19:00 — RS Berkane (MAR) vs Pyramids FC (EGY)
Group B
Friday, 23 January
16:00 — Al Ahly SC (EGY) vs Young Africans SC (TAN)
Saturday, 24 January
16:00 — JS Kabylie (ALG) vs AS FAR Rabat (MAR)
Group C
Friday, 23 January
18:00 — Mamelodi Sundowns FC (RSA) vs Al Hilal Omdurman (SUD)
Sunday, 25 January
13:00 — St Éloi Lupopo (DRC) vs MC Alger (ALG)
Group D
Saturday, 24 January
16:00 — Espérance de Tunis (TUN) vs Simba SC (TAN)
Sunday, 25 January
16:00 — Stade Malien (MLI) vs Petro Atlético (ANG)
Confederation Cup: Pressure mounts
The CAF Confederation Cup also resumes with heightened intensity, as former champions, experienced contenders and ambitious newcomers continue their push for continental glory.
With margins already tight in several groups, Matchday 3 offers clubs a chance to strengthen their grip on qualification places or re-enter contention ahead of the decisive final rounds.
CAF Confederation Cup fixtures (All times GMT)
Group A
Saturday, 24 January
19:00 — USM Alger (ALG) vs Djoliba AC (MLI)
Sunday, 25 January
16:00 — OCS Safi (MAR) vs FC San Pedro (CIV)
Group B
Sunday, 25 January
13:00 — Nairobi United FC (KEN) vs Azam FC (TAN)
Sunday, 25 January
19:00 — Wydad AC (MAR) vs AS Maniema Union (DRC)
Group C
Sunday, 25 January
16:00 — Singida Black Stars (TAN) vs AS Otoho (CGO)
Sunday, 25 January
19:00 — CR Belouizdad (ALG) vs Stellenbosch FC (RSA)
Group D
Sunday, 25 January
13:00 — ZESCO United FC (ZAM) vs Kaizer Chiefs FC (RSA)
Sunday, 25 January
19:00 — Zamalek SC (EGY) vs Al Masry SC (EGY)
As Africa’s top clubs return to continental duty, the weekend promises high-stakes encounters and pivotal results that could define the course of the 2025/26 CAF club competitions.
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CAF Champions League
VIDEO: Rivers United Defeat Sparks Controversy as Ex-Rivers Sports Commissioner Chris Green Alleges Foul Play
By Kunle Solaja.
Rivers State Sports Commissioner and ex–NFF Technical Committee Chairman, Chris Green, has raised serious concerns over the officiating in Rivers United’s 2–1 loss to Moroccan giants RS Berkane in Friday’s CAF Champions League Matchday 2 clash in Uyo.
Rivers United appeared to be cruising to victory after taking a 1–0 lead and holding firm deep into stoppage time.
But the match took a dramatic and chaotic turn right at the end of the initially announced seven minutes of added time.
On exactly the seventh minute of added time, RS Berkane’s Youness El Kaabi struck from a free kick to level the score, stunning the home crowd.
Barely two minutes later — with fans still reeling — Mounir Chouiar pounced on a rebound off the post and rolled the ball into an empty net to seal a shock 2–1 win for the Moroccan visitors.
For Rivers United, the collapse was as sudden as it was painful.
Green Questions Added Time, Accuses Referee of Poor Handling
Speaking in a telephone interview with Sports Village Square, Green expressed disbelief at the seven minutes of stoppage time awarded, insisting it did not reflect the actual delays in the second half.
“I don’t know where the referee got seven minutes from. The stoppages in the second half were nowhere near that,” he said.
Green also criticised Senegalese referee Issa Sy, accusing him of mishandling the game, pointing in particular to a disallowed first-half goal from a corner kick that had initially put Rivers United ahead.
The disallowed Rivers United goal in the first half.
While Rivers United now face an uphill task in their CAF Champions League campaign, Green’s allegations add yet another layer to the growing debate over officiating standards in CAF competitions.
As emotions run high in Port Harcourt, the club and its supporters will be looking for answers — and hoping Friday’s heartbreak does not derail their continental ambitions.
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