Several unbeaten records could come under serious pressure as the CAF Champions League group stage moves into its penultimate round this weekend, with qualification scenarios still finely balanced across multiple sections.
Pyramids, Al Ahly, Al Hilal, Stade Malien and ES Tunis all remain unbeaten after four matchdays, but matchday five presents decisive tests that could reshape the standings before the final round.
Group C: All to Play For
Group C remains the most competitive of the four, with all four teams still in contention for the knockout stages. The action begins on Friday when MC Alger host Al Hilal at the Ali La Pointe Stadium in Algiers.
Al Hilal currently lead the group on eight points following their impressive 2–1 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns on January 30, which preserved their unbeaten record. MC Alger sit third on seven points after a convincing 2–0 win over Saint-Eloi Lupopo on February 1, leaving just a single point separating the top three.
Sundowns appear likely to settle for second place but will aim to regain momentum when they face Saint-Eloi Lupopo at the Stade TP Mazembe in Lubumbashi on Sunday. Both sides are level on four points, although the South African champions hold a superior goal difference despite seeing their unbeaten run end on matchday four.
Group A: Pyramids in Control, Battles Below
Group A is nearing resolution at the top, but significant battles remain further down the table. RS Berkane will be eager to respond when they travel to face Power Dynamos at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on Saturday.
Berkane relinquished top spot after suffering a comprehensive 3–0 defeat to Pyramids on February 1. That result moved the Egyptian side three points clear at the summit. Power Dynamos kept their faint qualification hopes alive with a 1–0 win over Rivers United, closing the gap to three points behind Berkane in third.
Defending champions Pyramids will look to protect their unbeaten record when they face Rivers United at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Sunday, knowing a positive result could seal progression.
Group B: Qualification Race Intensifies
Group B remains delicately poised as Al Ahly aim to take a decisive step towards the knockout rounds when they visit JS Kabylie in Tizi Ouzou on Saturday.
The Egyptian giants stayed top of the group after drawing 1–1 with Young Africans on January 31. JS Kabylie, however, saw their qualification hopes fade following a 1–0 defeat to AS FAR, their second loss of the campaign.
Young Africans will attempt to keep pace with the leaders when they meet AS FAR at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. Both sides are level on five points, with Yanga occupying second place courtesy of their head-to-head win over the Moroccan club earlier in the group stage.
Group D: Tight Contest at the Summit
A similar situation exists in Group D, where Stade Malien and ES Tunis are locked in a battle for top spot ahead of their meeting in Bamako on Sunday.
Stade Malien preserved a two-point advantage despite being held to a goalless draw by Petro de Luanda, while ES Tunis also shared the points in a 2–2 draw against Simba. Their clash at the Stade du 26 Mars could prove decisive in determining group leadership.
Petro de Luanda, currently third and just one point behind ES Tunis, will look to disrupt the hierarchy when they host winless Simba on Saturday. Simba’s hopes of progression are all but extinguished after collecting only one point from four matches.
Friday, February 6 21:00 – MC Alger vs Al Hilal
Saturday, February 7 15:00 – Power Dynamos vs RS Berkane 18:00 – Petro de Luanda vs Simba 21:00 – AS FAR vs Young Africans 21:00 – JS Kabylie vs Al Ahly
Sunday, February 8 15:00 – Saint-Eloi Lupopo vs Mamelodi Sundowns 18:00 – Rivers United vs Pyramids 18:00 – Stade Malien vs ES Tunis
