The TotalEnergies CAF Champions League kicked off this weekend with thrilling encounters, as top African clubs displayed their prowess on the continental stage. Mamelodi Sundowns, Al Ahly, and Young Africans (Yanga), Pyramids, RS Berkane each showcased their ambitions with impressive victories.
In Pretoria, Mamelodi Sundowns demonstrated their intent as they secured a 3-1 victory against DR Congo’s St Éloi Lupopo. Despite a shaky moment in the first half, Sundowns quickly rebounded with a display of skill and teamwork. Nuno Santos was undoubtedly the star of the match, scoring twice and playing a pivotal role in the build-up to Marcelo Allende’s goal.
The home side’s early lead set the tone, with Santos capitalizing on a swift attacking move. However, their momentum stalled momentarily when Wanet Kashala leveled for Lupopo, momentarily silencing the crowd.
The second half saw Sundowns regain their composure and control, showcasing their depth and tactical adaptability. Substitute Arthur Sales made an immediate impact, providing the assist for Santos’s second goal, which secured a comfortable victory.
Meanwhile, in Zanzibar’s Amaan Stadium, Young Africans faced a more tightly contested match against Moroccan side FAR Rabat. After a cautious first half, Yanga broke the deadlock in the 58th minute, thanks to Prince Dube’s sharp instincts in the box.
The Tanzanian champions showcased their discipline and organization against a formidable opponent, holding onto their slender lead despite late pressure from FAR. Standout performances from players like Mpia and Kouma were crucial in maintaining Yanga’s defensive resilience, as they claimed a vital three points in a highly competitive group.
Al Ahly, one of the tournament’s heavyweights, scripted a commanding 4-1 triumph over JS Kabylie in Cairo. The Egyptian giants wasted no time asserting their dominance, with Trezeguet and Mohamed Sherif finding the back of the net within minutes of each other before halftime. Although Kabylie managed to pull one back through an unfortunate own goal by El Shenawy, Al Ahly’s powerful response was evident as Trezeguet netted his second, followed by yet another own goal from Kabylie, sealing a resounding victory for the hosts.
In contrast, Esperance faced a frustrating outing in Tunis, held to a goalless draw by Stade Malien. Despite controlling the game and creating several chances, the hosts failed to penetrate a well-organized defense.
The match saw a growing sense of frustration from Esperance players as they struggled to unlock their opponents, leading to cautions for Jelassi and Bode as tensions mounted.
RS Berkane played confidently at home and won 3–0 against Zambia’s Power Dynamos. The Moroccan team scored early when Aaron Katebe accidentally put the ball into his own net in the 13th minute. Just three minutes later, Haytam Manaout made a great assist to Mounir Chouiar, who finished the play by scoring in the bottom-left corner. This gave Berkane a 2–0 lead within the first 16 minutes.
In the second half, Berkane continued to control the game and kept the midfield strong. Their efforts paid off in the 65th minute when they were awarded a penalty. Paul Valère Bassène stepped up and confidently scored, placing his shot down the center to make it 3–0.
In Cairo, defending champions Pyramids FC delivered a statement performance of their own, defeating Rivers United 3–0 thanks to a spectacular hat-trick from Ahmed Atef El Sayed.
After a tightly contested first half that ended 0–0, Pyramids returned from the break with renewed urgency. Their pressure paid off in the 52nd minute when Atef struck from close range to open the scoring. Five minutes later, the forward doubled the advantage with a superb header into the top-right corner after an excellent through ball from Karim Hafez.
Pyramids continued to press forward as Atef completed his hat trick in the 72nd minute, skillfully guiding a right-footed shot into the bottom-left corner following an assist from Mohamed Reda.
The reigning African champions maintained control of the game until the final whistle, securing a dominant 3-0 victory and reinforcing their status as strong contenders for back-to-back continental titles.
As the group stage unfolds, Sundowns and Yanga have signaled their intentions with strong performances, while Al Ahly has made a significant statement. Conversely, Esperance will need to regroup and find their rhythm quickly to navigate through a challenging group. The excitement and intensity of African club football are palpable, and fans can look forward to more riveting matches ahead.
