The group stage teams for the 2024/25 CAF Champions League were confirmed following a thrilling weekend of preliminary rounds.
South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates led the way, both securing their places with impressive performances.
Sundowns delivered a staggering 8-0 aggregate victory over Eswatini’s Mbabane Swallows, while Pirates triumphed 3-0 against Botswana’s Jwaneng Galaxy, avenging their previous season’s exit at the same stage.
In a surprising turn, Angolan heavyweights Petro de Luanda were eliminated by DR Congo’s Maniema Union, who advanced with a 2-1 aggregate score.
The reigning champions, Al Ahly, alongside Fagrie Lakay’s Pyramids FC and Elias Mokwana’s Esperance de Tunis, also made the cut for the group stage.
The draw for the group stage, where teams will be placed into four pots, is set for 7 October in Cairo.
Here’s the breakdown of the qualified teams:
Pot 1: Al Ahly (Egypt), Esperance de Tunis (Tunisia), Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), TP Mazembe (DR Congo).
Pot 2: CR Belouizdad (Algeria), Raja Athletic Club (Morocco), Young Africans (Tanzania), Pyramids FC (Egypt).
Pot 3: Al Hilal (South Sudan), Orlando Pirates (South Africa), Sagrada Esperanca (Angola), AS FAR (Morocco).
Pot 4: MC Alger (Algeria), Djoliba (Mali), Maniema Union (DR Congo), Stade d’Abidjan (Ivory Coast).