Matchday 1: The Fan Guide to the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Group Stages

The group stage of the 2024/25 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League kicks off today, Tuesday, 26 November, with eight intriguing matches across the continent.

Here is a recap of the fixtures and the pools (all kick-off times are CAT):

15h00: Young Africans (Tanzania) vs Al Hilal (Sudan)

15h00: TP Mazembe (DR Congo) vs MC Alger (Algeria)

Five-time winners TP Mazembe welcome 1976 champions MC Alger to Lubumbashi for their group opener, with both teams aiming to make a strong start. They last met in 2018, when Mazembe secured a 1-0 win with a late goal by Meschack Elia, followed by a 1-1 draw in Algeria.

Young Africans and Al Hilal renew hostilities after their clashes in the 2022 edition, which included a 1-1 draw in Dar-es-Salaam and a 1-0 win for Al Hilal in the return fixture.

Quick Fact: Young Africans recently appointed Bosnian-German coach Sead Ramovic, who spent three years at South African club TS Galaxy.

18h00: Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) vs Maniema Union (DR Congo)

21h00: Raja Casablanca (Morocco) vs FAR Rabat (Morocco)

Group B opens with a fiery Moroccan derby between Raja Casablanca and FAR Rabat. The teams recently played to a goalless draw in the domestic league, with FAR last defeating Raja competitively in 2020.

In the other match, South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns take on debutants Maniema Union. Sundowns are in the group stages for the 10th consecutive season and have reached the knockout rounds every year except 2018.

Quick Fact: Raja last lifted the CAF Champions League trophy in 1999, while FAR Rabat’s last triumph was in 1985.

18h00: Al Ahly (Egypt) vs Stade d’Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire)

21h00: CR Belouizdad (Algeria) vs Orlando Pirates (South Africa)

Defending champions Al Ahly, who have won the tournament 12 times, face Côte d’Ivoire’s Stade d’Abidjan, who last tasted success in 1966. Both teams are in fine domestic form, setting up an exciting clash in Cairo.

Orlando Pirates return to the group stages for the first time since 2018/19, facing Algeria’s CR Belouizdad, who have won five of their last six home games in the competition.

Quick Fact: CR Belouizdad’s last home defeat in the Champions League came against Mamelodi Sundowns, who won 4-1 in April 2023.

18h00: Pyramids FC (Egypt) vs Sagrada Esperança (Angola)

21h00: Esperance (Tunisia) vs Djoliba (Mali)

Esperance, beaten finalists last season, begin their campaign against Djoliba, making their first group-stage appearance in the Champions League. Esperance have consistently advanced past the group stage since 2017.

Meanwhile, Pyramids FC host Sagrada Esperança in Cairo. The Egyptian side, now in their second group stage, will aim to build on last season’s experience.

Quick Fact: Sagrada Esperança last featured in the group stages in 2021/22, drawing two matches and losing four.