CAF Champions League
Two Decades After Their Defeat, Mamelodi Sundowns Return to Abeokuta
By Kunle Solaja
Two decades after their last visit ended in defeat, South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns will return to Abeokuta this Sunday to face Nigeria’s Remo Stars in the first leg of the second-round clash of the CAF Champions League — Africa’s premier interclub competition.
The encounter sets up a battle between two clubs with sharply contrasting pedigree and experience.
For Remo Stars, it marks their first-ever appearance in the second round of any continental competition. For Mamelodi Sundowns, it is another step in their quest to reassert dominance on the continent — as former African champions and runners-up in last season’s edition.
Mamelodi Sundowns are 15 times South African league champions and obviously the country’s most successful club.
In many ways, Sunday’s game extends the long-standing football rivalry between Nigeria and South Africa. While the Super Eagles hold the upper hand in national team contests, South Africa’s strength at club level — especially through Sundowns — tells a different story.
Indeed, the recent World Cup qualifying triumph over Rwanda, which secured South Africa’s ticket to the 2026 finals, underlined the domestic foundation of their success. All 11 Bafana Bafana starters were home-based, with five players — including captain and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams — coming from Mamelodi Sundowns. Others were Khuliso Mudau, Aubrey Modiba, Thapelo Morena, and Teboho Mokoena.
Sunday’s fixture will revive memories of Sundowns’ last competitive appearance in Abeokuta. In August 2001, they were beaten 2-0 by Julius Berger FC of Lagos during a CAF Champions League group stage encounter played at the MKO Abiola Stadium.
Much has changed since then. The Pretoria-based side have evolved into one of Africa’s football powerhouses — winning the CAF Champions League in 2016, finishing as runners-up in the most recent edition, and representing Africa at the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States earlier this year.
They currently top the South African Betway Premiership with six wins, three draws, and one defeat from ten matches — the only team to have played that many games.
In contrast, Remo Stars are still finding their rhythm in the Nigeria Premier Football League, sitting 13th on the table — a far cry from the dominance of their visitors. Yet, football thrives on surprises, and the “Sky Blue Stars” from Ikenne will hope to play the role of David in this modern-day clash with Goliath.
If Remo Stars can capitalize on home advantage in Abeokuta and secure a respectable lead, they might just have a fighting chance in the return leg at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on October 26.
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The Confederation of African Football (CAF) will conduct the quarter-final draws for the 2025/26 editions of its two flagship interclub competitions — the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup — on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, at the headquarters of the Egyptian Football Association in Cairo.
The CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final draw is scheduled to begin at 13:00 Cairo time (11:00 GMT), followed by the CAF Champions League quarter-final draw at 14:00 Cairo time (12:00 GMT).
The ceremonies will be broadcast live on CAF’s official YouTube platform, CAF TV, allowing fans across the continent and beyond to follow proceedings in real time.
Road to the Finals Takes Shape
The draws will determine not only the quarter-final pairings but also the pathway to the finals in both competitions, effectively mapping out the remaining knockout journey for Africa’s elite clubs.
With the group stages concluded, the quarter-finals mark the beginning of direct elimination football — a phase traditionally defined by tactical discipline, squad depth and mental resilience. Clubs will be keenly watching the draw to gauge potential heavyweight clashes or favourable routes to the semi-finals.
In the Champions League, former title holders and emerging contenders alike will be hoping to avoid early confrontations against continental heavyweights. Similarly, in the Confederation Cup, where competitive balance has grown in recent seasons, the draw could produce intriguing North-South or West-East showdowns.
Strategic Importance for Clubs
Beyond sporting prestige, progression to the latter stages of CAF competitions carries significant financial incentives, enhanced continental ranking points and increased global visibility. With African club football enjoying expanded broadcast reach and commercial partnerships, success in these tournaments has become both a sporting and economic objective.
Hosting the draws at the Egyptian FA headquarters in Cairo reinforces the city’s status as a nerve centre of African football administration, as clubs await clarity on their next assignments in what promises to be a decisive knockout phase of the 2025/26 campaign.
All eyes will now turn to Cairo as Africa’s road to continental glory becomes clearer.
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Moroccan side RS Berkane delivered a commanding 3–0 victory over Rivers United FC to book their place in the knockout stages of the competition.
Berkane imposed themselves early and broke the deadlock in the 35th minute when Youssef Mehri fired into the bottom corner following a swift attacking move.
The hosts doubled their lead seven minutes later as Paul Valère Bassène finished clinically after being played through by Mounir Chouiar, leaving Rivers United with a mountain to climb before halftime.
The contest was effectively settled eight minutes into the second half. Bassène grabbed his second of the night in the 53rd minute, converting from close range after a corner to put the result beyond doubt.
Berkane maintained control for the remainder of the match, limiting Rivers United to speculative efforts and half-chances before comfortably seeing out the encounter.
With the results, Pyramids FC finish top of Group A, while RS Berkane join them in the knockout phase as runners-up, bringing the group stage to a decisive conclusion.
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Reigning CAF Champions League holders Pyramids FC signed off their group-stage campaign in style with a 3–1 victory over Power Dynamos FC on Matchday 6 to secure top spot in Group A.
The Egyptian side made a bright start and went ahead in the 16th minute when Mostafa Ziko rose highest to head home from a corner, underlining their early dominance.
Power Dynamos responded almost immediately. Frederick Mulambia restored parity a minute later, finishing from close range after a well-worked cross to briefly unsettle the hosts.
However, Pyramids regained control midway through the first half. In the 33rd minute, Youssef Obama reacted quickest inside the penalty area to restore the lead, sending the defending champions into the break 2–1 ahead.
The decisive moment came in the 59th minute when Ewerton unleashed a superb right-footed strike from outside the box that nestled into the bottom corner, extending the advantage to 3–1.
Despite late substitutions and sporadic pressure from the visitors, Pyramids managed proceedings comfortably to claim all three points and finish the group stage at the summit.
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