The CAF Champions League group stage continued over the weekend with thrilling encounters in Matchday Two across the continent as teams battled for crucial points in their quest to advance to the knockout stages.
From Al Hilal’s late heroics in Group A to Pyramids and Esperance sharing the spoils in Group D, the competition remains wide open with every point proving vital.
As some teams solidify their positions, others face uphill battles to stay in contention.
Here’s a breakdown of all the weekend’s action, group by group, with updated standings, results, and upcoming fixtures to keep you up to date with Africa’s premier club competition.
Group A: Al Hilal and MC Alger Make Strong Statements
Al Hilal Omdurman continued their perfect start in Group A with a dramatic 2-1 victory over TP Mazembe.
Mohamed Abdelrahman’s early penalty gave the Sudanese side the lead before Mazembe’s Oscar Tshikomb equalized with a stunning strike.
Jean Girumugisha’s late long-range effort secured all three points for Al Hilal, leaving them atop the group with six points.
Meanwhile, MC Alger defeated Young Africans 2-0 at the Stade du 5 Juillet. Ayoub Abdellaoui opened the scoring in the second half, with Soufiane Bayazid sealing the win in injury time.
Mazembe sits third with one point, while Young Africans remain bottom after two losses.
Group B: AS FAR Hold Sundowns, Maniema Secure a Point
AS FAR Rabat held former champions Mamelodi Sundowns to a 1-1 draw in El Jadida. Iqraam Rayners’ second-half goal gave the South Africans the lead, but Mohammed Hrimat equalized shortly after.
Sundowns remain unbeaten with two points, while AS FAR top the group with four.
Elsewhere, Maniema Union salvaged a 1-1 draw against Raja Casablanca thanks to Joseph Bakasu’s thunderous equalizer.
Raja, still winless, sits at the bottom with one point, while Maniema climbs to second with two points, keeping the group tightly contested.
Deon Hotto of Orlando Pirates challenges Marawan Attia Fathom Ghallab of Al Ahly during the CAF Champions League 2024/25 match between Orlando Pirates and Al Ahly
Deon Hotto of Orlando Pirates challenges Marawan Attia Fathom Ghallab of Al Ahly during the CAF Champions League 2024/25 match between Orlando Pirates and Al Ahly
Group C: Pirates and Ahly Share Spoils, Belouizdad Bounce Back
Orlando Pirates and Al Ahly played out a goalless draw at a packed Orlando Stadium, leaving both sides tied on four points.
Pirates’ Monnapule Saleng and Ahly’s Yahya Attiat Allah came close, but neither could find the breakthrough.
Earlier, Aimen Mahious’ 71st-minute strike handed CR Belouizdad a narrow 1-0 win over Stade d’Abidjan, keeping the Algerians in contention.
Stade d’Abidjan, rooted to the bottom, is yet to register a point.
Group D: Stalemates Dominate in Tight Group
Pyramids and Djoliba battled to a goalless draw in Mali, leaving both sides frustrated in a defensive encounter.
Pyramids retain top spot with four points, while Djoliba sits at the bottom with one.
Similarly, Esperance Tunis was held to a 0-0 draw by Sagrada Esperança in Angola.
Despite dominating, Esperance couldn’t break Sagrada’s solid defense. The Tunisian side is tied with Pyramids on four points but leads on goal difference.
CAF Champions League Group Stage Results – Round 2
Group A
Al Hilal 2-1 TP Mazembe
MC Alger 2-0 Young Africans
Group B
AS FAR Rabat 1-1 Mamelodi Sundowns
Maniema Union 1-1 Raja Casablanca
Group C
Orlando Pirates 0-0 Al Ahly
Stade d’Abidjan 0-1 CR Belouizdad
Group D
Djoliba 0-0 Pyramids
Sagrada Esperança 0-0 Esperance Tunis
Group Standings After Matchday 2
Group A
Al Hilal – 6 pts
MC Alger – 4 pts
TP Mazembe – 1 pt
Young Africans – 0 pts
Group B
AS FAR Rabat – 4 pts
Mamelodi Sundowns – 2 pts
Maniema Union – 2 pts
Raja Casablanca – 1 pt
Group C
Al Ahly – 4 pts
Orlando Pirates – 4 pts
CR Belouizdad – 3 pts
Stade d’Abidjan – 0 pts
Group D
Esperance Tunis – 4 pts
Pyramids – 4 pts
Sagrada Esperança – 1 pt
Djoliba – 1 pt
Next Fixtures – Matchday 3
Group A
Mazembe vs Young Africans (14 Dec, 13:00 GMT)
MC Alger vs Al Hilal (14 Dec, 19:00 GMT)
Group B
Maniema vs AS FAR Rabat (14 Dec, 13:00 GMT)
Raja Casablanca vs Mamelodi Sundowns (15 Dec, 13:00 GMT)
Group C
Al Ahly vs CR Belouizdad (13 Dec, 11:00 GMT)
Stade d’Abidjan vs Orlando Pirates (14 Dec, 16:00 GMT)
Group D
Esperance Tunis vs Pyramids (14 Dec, 19:00 GMT)
Djoliba vs Sagrada Esperança (15 Dec, 16:00 GMT)
Source: CAF
