The CAF Champions League group stage is back after an exciting month. As always, attention turns towards Africa’s most consistent performers. Pyramids FC, Mamelodi Sundowns, and Al Ahly come in the competition as the strongest favourites, each bearing a blend of squad depth and continental pedigree. The group stage is always a hotbed of surprises, as recent years have shown. Clubs from Morocco, Tanzania and West Africa are increasingly confident and organized. They are turning favourites into vulnerable targets.
Pyramids FC – the new giants with something to prove
Pyramids FC are stepping into the group stage with all the aura of a club that is finally moving from an ambitious project to a genuine continental heavyweight.
Their recent spike in competition in Africa has been through mastering the art of defence, increased recruitment as well as owing to their core players. The experienced internationals have also helped the team grow tactically as they now play possessively rather than relying on individuals.
Being called “champions-elect” in CAF Champions League predictions weighs heavily on them. In comparison to older giants in the contest Pyramids are still a younger more forceful at this level. The teams will not only be judged on qualification from the groups. They will also be judged on how convincingly they can perform in games away from Cairo. This is mainly because it is the crucible where North African projects either succeed or fail.
Mamelodi Sundowns – consistency, depth, and tactical identity
Mamelodi Sundowns have raised the bar for long-term project-building in African club football. They have one of the continent’s deepest squads, giving them variations for rotations for every line of play. Sundown’s coaching system allows them to counter any opponent or condition with ease. They look for controlled possession, flexible pressing triggers and structured build-up play.
Sundowns’ ability to control the tempo during the group stages makes them particularly dangerous. The players seldom get involved in wild tussles. Rather, it is they who set the tempo and wear teams down. Afterwards, they strike at opportune moments. By taking part in increased intercontinental competitions against clubs worldwide as well as the continental giants, they have also enhanced their adaptability; few African teams have what they have.
If they can avoid injuries to their key midfield and defensive anchors, Sundowns might again appear like the team most likely to mount a deep charge.
Al Ahly – history, mentality, and resilience
Al Ahly have become the most successful club in Africa but with that comes pressure. The Cairo giants have a culture of competing to win, not just survive despite injury issues, rotation problems and congested fixtures. The greatest asset of the team isn’t just tactical structure but game intelligence. They understand how to tame crowd energy, slow the tempo when required and manage transitions under pressure.
Al Ahly isn’t Sundowns in a sense they just refuse to go through the motions even when they rotate with regularity. When key creators are missing, they can look stiff in attack. However, during big matches, the confidence and historical experiences of Al Ahly come into play. The group stage spurs them on. It does not intimidate.
Dark horses ready to disrupt the hierarchy
The favored teams have stronger squads on paper, but a few can create an upset.
RS Berkane (Morocco)
Berkane have proven to be a continental competitor in the last few seasons. They thrive in knockout-style games. They are tactically disciplined, especially at home. Any seeded side would find them an uncomfortable opponent, given their strength in set pieces.
Young Africans and Simba SC (Tanzania)
Yanga and Simba have developed the strongest project model in East African football, thanks to a strong home crowd and strong youth development. Teams that come into Dar es Salaam unprepared for the vigorous style and athletic press always find it an uphill task.
ASFAR (Morocco)
The ASFAR team maintains continuity in both squad structure and coaching philosophy. Their arrangement and ball-keeping play make them a threat in battles where possession matters most.
What will decide the group stage?
Several factors stand out.
· The capability to garner that solitary away point differentiates between qualification and elimination from a tournament.
· Travel demands and home games will test the strength of the rotation.
· Group matches are closely contested encounters but at the end, the dead-ball situation was what decided the match. If such a situation arises, who will take the ball?
Final outlook
The narrative entering the group stage frames Pyramids, Sundowns, and Al Ahly as the clearest favourites, and with good reason. They possess structure, squad depth and ambition. Yet the Champions League rarely unfolds in a straight line. Berkane, Young Africans, ASFAR, and other West African sides will not just compete but also hunt trophies.
