CAF Champions League
Al-Ahly Through To CAF Champions League Quarter-finals After Away Win Over Medeama –
Egyptian giants Al-Ahly booked their place in the CAF Champions League quarter-finals for an eighth consecutive season after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Ghanaian side Medeama in the fifth round of group stage on Friday.
A second-half goal from winger Hussein El-Shahat was enough to seal the three points for the Cairo club at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, moving them onto nine points at the top of Group A with one game remaining.
The match witnessed several standout moments, with Mostafa Shobeir showcasing his goalkeeping prowess early on, denying Medeama’s attempts to find the back of the net.
However, it was El-Shahat who stole the spotlight in the 48th minute, calmly slotting home a well-executed finish to secure victory for Al-Ahly.
With this crucial victory, the Cairo giants stay at the top of group, securing their passage to the next round with a comfortable four-point lead over Belouizdad and Young Africans, who are set to face off later this weekend.
On the other hand, Medeama languish at the bottom of the table with four points.
Al-Ahly’s focus turns to their upcoming clash against Young Africans, where they aim to cement their position at the top of the group. A draw would suffice for the Egyptian side to ensure they clinch the top spot in the standings.
It was far from plain sailing for the record eight-time African champions however, with the hosts proving stubborn opposition for much of the match.
Al-Ahly dominated the early exchanges and El-Shahat went close in the 13th minute, curling a shot narrowly over the crossbar.
Medeama then had their best chance of the half on 16 minutes, only for Mostafa Shobeir to produce a fine save to deny the Ghanaian striker Lomotey.
The game remained goalless at the break, but Al-Ahly’s pressure finally told three minutes after half-time when El-Shahat latched onto a through ball from Anthony Modeste before slotting calmly beyond Medeama keeper Frank Boateng.
That proved the only goal of a tight contest, as Al-Ahly’s defence stood firm in the face of late pressure from the hosts. Wissam Abu Ali nearly added a second late on but saw his shot well saved by Boateng.
The result means the Cairo side extend their remarkable unbeaten run in the CAF Champions League to 15 matches, a sequence stretching back to their 5-2 defeat at the hands of Sundowns.
Medeama’s defeat means they will struggle to reach the knock-stage of the competition.
El-Shahat’s goal not only propelled Al-Ahly to victory but also marked a personal milestone for the winger, tallying his 16th goal for the club in the CAF Champions League.
With his stellar performance with four goals in the competition this season, El-Shahat solidified his status as a key figure in Al-Ahly’s quest for continental glory.
CAF Champions League
Brazil’s Ribeiro Costa Gone, Rivalry Renewed: Mamelodi Sundowns Reshape Squad Before Remo Stars Showdown
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Mamelodi’s talismanic Brazilian player, Lucas Ribeiro Costa has made a sudden departure from the club which is well known for its Brazil-styled football attire. The departure of the player has forced a tactical reset at Sundowns ahead of the CAF Champions League second round clash with Remo Stars.
On the other hand, Nigeria’s champions, Remo Stars, are bracing up for a titanic CAF Champions League second-round showdown against Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa — a fixture that not only promises fireworks on the pitch but also rekindles one of African football’s most intense rivalries.
The first leg of the tie will take place in Abeokuta, the temporary home ground of Remo Stars with the return fixture scheduled for South Africa.
Sundowns, are continental heavyweights — former African champions and perennial campaigners known for their fluid attacking football.
However, the South Africans will enter this contest amid tactical reshuffling following the shock departure of Ribeiro, their Brazilian talisman and last season’s Premier Soccer League (PSL) Footballer of the Year.
New coach Miguel Cardoso has acknowledged the impact of Ribeiro’s exit but insists the Tshwane-based side are evolving into a more unified team rather than relying on individual brilliance.
“No player will replace Lucas because that’s not what we are looking for,” Cardoso told reporters after Sundowns’ first league loss of the season.
“We are looking to reinforce the team and make it completely different. Ribeiro was unique, but now we must play more as a collective.”
Cardoso revealed that Sundowns have recruited Portuguese playmaker Nuno Santos from Vitória Guimarães and are closing in on another Portuguese midfielder, Miguel Reisinho, to enhance their creative options.
Despite this transition phase, the South African champions remain formidable, boasting one of the continent’s most technically balanced squads. Their clash with Nigeria’s Remo Stars — debutants in this elite stage — offers a fascinating contrast between experience and ambition.
Beyond the football itself, the fixture taps into a storied Nigeria–South Africa rivalry that has shaped African football narratives for decades — from national team duels at the Africa Cup of Nations to club-level battles in CAF competitions.
Matches between sides from both nations have often been fierce, emotionally charged, and symbolic of continental supremacy.
For Remo Stars, this encounter represents both a massive test and an opportunity to make a statement.
The Ikenne-based side, known for their youthful energy and tactical discipline, will aim to upset the odds against one of Africa’s richest and most accomplished clubs.
Their head coach, Daniel Ogunmodede, is expected to lean on the attacking prowess of Adams Olamilekan and the creativity of Ebuka Anthony to breach Sundowns’ disciplined defence.
With pride, prestige, and progression on the line, all eyes will be on the two legs of this Nigeria–South Africa contest — a battle that goes beyond footballing tactics to touch the nerve of a continental rivalry steeped in passion and history.
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Rivers United have advanced to the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League after defeating Les Aigles of the Democratic Republic of Congo 1–0 in the return leg on Sunday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.
Following a goalless stalemate in the first leg in Kinshasa, the Nigerian side sealed progression on a 1–0 aggregate scoreline, thanks to a first-half strike that proved decisive in a tightly contested encounter.
The win sends Rivers United into the second preliminary round, where they will face the winner of the tie between AC Léopards of Congo and Black Bulls of Mozambique.
With this result, Rivers United join Remo Stars in the second round of the CAF Champions League.
The next round is scheduled to hold between October 17 and 26, while the group stage kicks off in November
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Remo Stars have sealed their passage into the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League after edging Comoros’ US Zilimadjou 1–0 in Abeokuta on Friday, completing an emphatic 5–0 aggregate victory.
Forward Alex Oyowah struck the decisive goal in the 74th minute, calmly converting from the penalty spot to settle the return leg at the MKO Abiola International Stadium.
With a four-goal cushion from the first leg in – courtesy of strikes from Lamine Ndenge, Ebuka Anthony, Adams Goïta and Seun Olasupo – coach Daniel Ogunmodede’s side approached the second leg tie with composure and tactical discipline.
Despite Zilimadjou’s spirited attempt to salvage pride, Remo Stars’ organisation off the ball ensured the visitors rarely threatened.
The Sky Blue Stars grew in confidence as the game wore on, controlling possession and protecting their clean sheet before Oyowah’s late strike put the result beyond doubt.
The Nigerian side will now brace for a tougher test in October when they meet South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns in what promises to be one of the glamour fixtures of the next round.
Other return-leg fixtures across the continent are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, with the full line-up for the second preliminary round to be confirmed thereafter.
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