By Olawale Alabi

Abeokuta, November 3, 2025 (CAF/CrestNewsOnline) Defending champions Pyramids FC of Egypt and Moroccan side RS Berkane are the focus of the 2025/2026 CAF Champions League group stage after the official draw was conducted in Johannesburg on Monday.

They are part of a star-studded field featuring seven former African champions, and they as reigning title-holders promise one of the most competitive group phase battles in recent memory.

Group A already has in our sight an explosive rematch as RS Berkane and Pyramids FC, winners of last season’s CAF Confederation Cup and CAF Champions League respectively, renew rivalries.

Just recently, the 2025 CAF Super Cup clash was won 1-0 by Pyramids.

Also in their group are Nigeria’s Rivers United and Zambia’s Power Dynamos.

Record 12-time winners Al Ahly anchor Group B, where they meet Tanzania’s Young Africans, Moroccan champions AS FAR, and two-time African champions JS Kabylie.

Group C has placed perennial contenders Mamelodi Sundowns with Al Hilal, MC Alger and St Éloi Lupopo, all clubs with rich pedigree and fervent followings.

Four-time winners Espérance de Tunis headline Group D, alongside Simba SC, Petro de Luanda and Stade Malien, thereby setting up heavyweight duels across the competition.

The Group Stage will kick off on the weekend of November 21 to 23, with two matchdays to be played before the start of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025 in Morocco.

The competition will then pause during the continental showpiece and resume on the weekend of January 23 to 25 in 2026.

The knockout phase will begin on March 13, 2026.

The CAF Champions League winners will receive 4 million U.S. dollars in prize money, while the runners-up will earn 2 million U.S. dollars.

THE GROUPS

Group A: RS Berkane (Morocco), Pyramids FC (Egypt), Rivers United (Nigeria), Power Dynamos (Zambia)
Group B: Al Ahly (Egypt), Young Africans (Tanzania), AS FAR (Morocco), JS Kabylie (Algeria)
Group C: Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), Al Hilal (Sudan), MC Alger (Algeria), St Éloi Lupopo (DR Congo)
Group D: Espérance Sportive de Tunis (Tunisia), Simba SC (Tanzania), Petro de Luanda (Angola), Stade Malien (Mali)

GROUP STAGE MATCH DAYS

MD1: 21-23 November

MD2: 28-30 November

MD3: 23-25 January

MD4: 30 January-01 February

MD5: 06-08 February

MD6: 13-15 February

(www.crestnewsonline.ng)