The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially released the fixture schedule for the 2025/26 CAF Champions League group stage, confirming a blockbuster start to the competition.
Nigeria’s Rivers United, making their debut appearance at this level, face a daunting Group A that includes both of last season’s continental champions Pyramids FC and RS Berkane.
The group-stage matches will begin between 21 and 23 November 2025, with only two rounds scheduled this year due to the Arab Cup and AFCON 2025, both taking place in Morocco.
Fixtures will resume after January, running through to the quarter-finals in April and the two-legged final in June 2026.
Group A – The Group of Death
RS Berkane
Pyramids FC
Rivers United
Power Dynamos
Pyramids won their first-ever CAF Champions League after a 2-1 win over Mamelodi Sundowns. Photo Credit: CAF/X
Rivers United will open their campaign at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo against Pyramids FC, before travelling to Morocco to face RS Berkane in the second round.
CAF Champions League – Group A Fixtures (First Two Matchdays)
Matchday 1 (Nov 21–23)
Power Dynamos vs RS Berkane
Rivers United vs Pyramids FC
Matchday 2 (Nov 28–30)
RS Berkane Vs Rivers United
Pyramids FC vs Power Dynamos
Group B – North African Heavyweights Collide
Group B:
Al Ahly
Yanga SC
AS FAR
JS Kabylie
Record champions Al Ahly headline Group B, which features a mix of African heavyweights and resurgent challengers. Tanzania’s Yanga SC, Morocco’s AS FAR, and Algeria’s JS Kabylie round off a group rich in pedigree.
CAF Champions League – Group B Fixtures (First Two Matchdays)
Matchday 1 (Nov 21–23)
Al Ahly vs JS Kabylie
Yanga SC vs AS FAR
Matchday 2 (Nov 28–30)
AS FAR vs Al Ahly
JS Kabylie vs Yanga SC
Group C – Mokwena Faces Former Club in Feisty Fixture
Group C:
Mamelodi Sundowns
Al Hilal
MC Alger
St Eloi Lupopo
The meeting between Mamelodi Sundowns and MC Alger promises fireworks, as MC Alger gaffer who is South African, Rhulani Mokwena faces his former side, the club where he made his name before moving to Wydad Casablanca.
It will be a tricky return to his home country and former club for Coach Mokoena. Photo Credit: Mzansi/X
Sundowns, runners-up last season, are out to go one better this time under Miguel Cardoso, while Al Hilal and Lupopo add further bite to a competitive pool.
CAF Champions League – Group C Fixtures (First Two Matchdays)
Matchday 1 (Nov 21–23)
Mamelodi Sundowns vs St Eloi Lupopo
Al Hilal vs MC Alger
Matchday 2 (Nov 28–30)
MC Alger vs Mamelodi Sundowns
St Eloi Lupopo vs Al Hilal
Group D – Tunisian Giants Lead the Way
Group D:
ES Tunis
Simba SC
Petro Luanda
Stade Malien
Four-time champions ES Tunis headline Group D, with Tanzania’s Simba SC, Angola’s Petro Luanda, and Mali’s Stade Malien completing a balanced section.
READ MORE:well-be-ready-rivers-united-coach-finidi-george-shrugs-off-pressure-after-acid-caf-champions-league-draw
All four clubs boast strong continental pedigrees and passionate fanbases, ensuring tightly contested matches from the outset.
CAF Champions League – Group D Fixtures (First Two Matchdays)
Matchday 1 (Nov 21–23)
ES Tunis vs Stade Malien
Simba SC vs Petro Luanda
Matchday 2 (Nov 28–30)
Petro Luanda vs ES Tunis
Stade Malien vs Simba SC
CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE ATHLETIC NG WHATSAPP CHANNEL NOW!
The group stage will run through early 2026 before the knockout rounds begin in April. The two-legged final will be played on 30 May and 6 June 2026, with the winners facing the CAF Confederation Cup champions in the 2026 CAF Super Cup.
