Rivers United Open CAF Champions League Group Stage In Cairo On Saturday

Rivers United Open CAF Champions League Group Stage In Cairo On Saturday

By Niyi Busari 

Africa’s premier club competitions return this weekend as the group stages of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup kick off across the continent, BSNSports .com.ng reports.

The opening fixtures promise high-quality match-ups and renewed rivalries as elite teams from every region begin their pursuit of continental glory.

The Champions League field is stacked with heavyweights, including defending champions Pyramids FC, 12-time titleholders Al Ahly, four-time winners Espérance de Tunis, South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, and Moroccan contenders RS Berkane and AS FAR. They are joined by a mix of emerging challengers seeking to disrupt the established hierarchy.

Rivers United face a formidable start to their group-stage campaign, travelling to Cairo for a Saturday showdown against reigning champions Pyramids. The fixture is one of the standout encounters of the competition’s opening weekend.

Elsewhere, Al Ahly launch their quest for a record-extending 13th Champions League crown when they host JS Kabylie, Espérance de Tunis welcome Stade Malien in Tunis, and Mamelodi Sundowns begin their campaign against St Éloi Lupopo.

In the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup, former champions Zamalek and USM Alger headline a competitive line-up that also includes Wydad, CR Belouizdad, Kaizer Chiefs, Stellenbosch, Azam, ZESCO United, and newcomers Nairobi United.

The Confederation Cup’s opening round features compelling regional storylines, including an Egyptian derby group where Zamalek host ZESCO United and Al Masry take on Kaizer Chiefs. Other notable fixtures include Wydad’s home clash with debutants Nairobi United, OC Safi’s trip to Djoliba, and the East–Central Africa meeting between Maniema Union and Azam.

CAF has confirmed that two group-stage match-days will be completed before the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025. The competitions will then pause for the continental showpiece and resume in January 2026.