The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Monday in Johannesburg, South Africa conducted the draws for the Group stage of the 2025/2026 CAF Champions League with Nigerian representatives, Rivers United handed a tough group opponents
The pride of Rivers who are making their first appearance in the competition, will be playing in Group A which comprises of defending champions Pyramids FC, CAF Confederation Cup holders RS Berkane, and Zambia’s Power Dynamos, all seasoned campaigners with proven continental pedigree.
As the Coach Finidi George handled team will be hoping to cause a big upset in the Group already tagged the ‘Group of Death’ by many soccer pundits, the Egyptian Pyramids will be aiming to retain their rating as the continents newest football powerhouse while Berkane, still glowing from their Confederation Cup triumph, will aim to make another statement at the top level, with Power Dynamos seeking to rekindle Zambia’s once-great continental presence.
Record 11-time African champions Al Ahly headline Group B, which promises fierce rivalries across regions. Other teams in the Group are;
Yanga SC of Tanzania, AS FAR of Morocco) and JS Kabylie of Algeria
Apart from the Young Boys of Tanzania, this group will be interesting as it comprises some of the finest teams in North Africa.
In Group C are South African champions and last season’s runners- up, Mamelodi Sundowns, Al Hilal of Sudan, Algerian MC Alger and St Eloi Lupopo of DR Congo.
Group D completes the stage with four- time champions ES Tunis, last year’s Confederation Cup finalists, Simba SC of Tanzania, Petro Luanda of Angola and Stade Malien of Mali.
According to CAF, the group stage matches will take place between November 21, 2025, and February 2026.
The quarter-finals and semi-finals are slated for April 2026, while the two-legged final will be played on May 30 and June 6, 2026.
The winners of the Champions League will then face the CAF Confederation Cup champions in the 2026 CAF Super Cup, completing Africa’s club football calendar.
