North African sides have extended their dominance in African club football, with eight of the top ten teams in the latest Confederation of African Football (CAF) rankings coming from Morocco, Egypt and Algeria.
Record African champions Al Ahly of Egypt top the 2025 list with 78 points, followed by South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns (62 pts) and Tunisia’s Espérance Sportive de Tunis (57 pts).
RS Berkane of Morocco (52 pts) and Simba SC of Tanzania (48 pts) complete the top five.
Nigerian clubs, once a powerhouse on the continent, continue to sit outside the top 20. Rivers United lead the way for Nigeria in 24th place with 14 points, while two-time African champions Enyimba are joint 35th on seven points.
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No Nigerian club reached the group stages of the CAF Champions League last season, contributing to the drop in points.
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The rankings reflect clubs’ performances in CAF competitions over the past five seasons, with the most recent campaigns carrying greater weight in the event of a tie.
CAF Top 10 Clubs – 2025 Rankings
1. Al Ahly (EGY) – 78 pts
2. Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA) – 62 pts
3. Espérance Sportive de Tunis (TUN) – 57 pts
4. RS Berkane (MAR) – 52 pts
5. Simba SC (TAN) – 48 pts
6. Pyramids FC (EGY) – 47 pts
7. Zamalek SC (EGY) – 42 pts
8. Wydad AC (MAR) – 39 pts
9. USM Alger (ALG) – 37 pts
10. CR Belouizdad (ALG) – 36 pts
Southern Africa is represented by Sundowns and Orlando Pirates (15th, 30 pts), while East Africa’s strongest clubs are Simba and Young Africans (12th, 34 pts). West Africa’s best-placed side is ASEC Mimosas of Ivory Coast in 13th (33 pts).
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The updated list comes ahead of Friday’s preliminary round draw for the 2025/26 CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup, to be held in Tanzania.
