TotalEnergies CAF Champions League: Matchday 6 | Round-up of final group stage matches

The final group matches of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League of the 2024/25 season delivered intense drama and thrilling encounters over the weekend.

Here's a breakdown of the action group by group:

Group A: North African dominance continues
MC Alger secured their quarter-final spot with a goalless draw against Young Africans in Tanzania. The Algerians needed just a point to progress and delivered a disciplined display, finishing second with nine points. Despite an impressive campaign, Young Africans fell short by a single point, ending in third with eight points.
Elsewhere, TP Mazembe crushed Al Hilal 4-0 in a dead rubber match in Kinshasa. Jean Diouf and Ibrahima Keita led the charge as the DR Congo giants salvaged pride in their final outing. Al Hilal, who had already qualified, retained top spot in the group with 10 points.

Group B: Sundowns edge into last eight
Mamelodi Sundowns advanced to the knockout stage with a nervy 1-1 draw against AS FAR. Peter Shalulile’s early goal gave the South Africans hope, but Amine Zouhzouh’s late equalizer for FAR ensured a tense finish. Sundowns held on to secure second place with nine points, while FAR topped the group with 11.
In the other match, Raja Casablanca edged Maniema Union 1-0 courtesy of Ennafatti’s penalty. However, Raja’s slim victory wasn’t enough to overhaul Sundowns, leaving the Moroccans in third place. Maniema ended their campaign at the bottom of the table.

Group C: Orlando Pirates shine, Al Ahly survive
Orlando Pirates stunned Al Ahly 2-1 in Cairo to clinch top spot with 14 points. Gilberto’s late winner secured a statement victory for the South Africans. Al Ahly, despite their defeat, progressed as group runners-up with 10 points.
Meanwhile, Chabab Belouizdad demolished Stade d’Abidjan 6-0 in Algeria. Despite their impressive win, the Algerians missed out on qualification, finishing third with nine points. Stade d’Abidjan concluded their winless campaign at the bottom.

Group D: Esperance and Pyramids end with a flourish
Esperance and Pyramids capped their group stage campaigns with emphatic victories. Esperance thrashed Angola’s Sagrada Esperanca 4-1, led by Achraf Jabri’s hat-trick. The Tunisian giants finished top with 13 points.
Pyramids were equally dominant, routing Mali’s Djoliba 6-0 in Cairo. With goals from six different scorers, the Egyptians underlined their credentials, securing second place with 13 points. Sagrada and Djoliba, unable to muster a single win, bowed out of the competition.

Match Results:

Group A:

• Young Africans (Tan) 0 - 0 MC Alger (Alg)
• Mazembe (Drc) 4 - 0 Al-Hilal Omdurman (Sud)

Group B:

• Mamelodi Sundowns (Rsa) 1 - 1 FAR Rabat (Mar)
• Raja Casablanca (Mar) 1 - 0 Maniema (Drc)

Group C:

• Al Ahly (Egy) 1 - 2 Orlando Pirates (Rsa)
• CR Belouizdad (Alg) 6 - 0 Stade d'Abidjan (Ivo)

Group D:

• Esperance Tunis (Tun) 4 - 1 Sagrada (Ang)
• Pyramids (Egy) 6 - 0 Djoliba (Mli)

Final Group Standings:

Group A:

1. Al-Hilal Omdurman: 10 pts (GD: -1)*
2. MC Alger: 9 pts (GD: +2)*
3. Young Africans: 8 pts (GD: -1)
4. Mazembe: 5 pts (GD: 0)

Group B:

1. FAR Rabat: 10 pts (GD: +4)*
2. Mamelodi Sundowns: 9 pts (GD: +1)*
3. Raja Casablanca: 8 pts (GD: -1)
4. Maniema: 3 pts (GD: -4)

Group C:

1. Orlando Pirates: 14 pts (GD: +6)*
2. Al Ahly: 10 pts (GD: +7)*
3. CR Belouizdad: 9 pts (GD: +1)
4. Stade d'Abidjan: 1 pt (GD: -14)

Group D:

1. Esperance Tunis: 13 pts (GD: +9)*
2. Pyramids: 13 pts (GD: +10)*
3. Sagrada: 5 pts (GD: -7)
4. Djoliba: 2 pts (GD: -12)