Photo Credit: Mamelodi Sundowns FC
The group stage of the 2024-25 CAF Champions League begins on Tuesday with all four groups in action to compete for the top prize in African club football. Group B could bring a close race for the top two positions and a place in the knockout stages with South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns the favorite to win the group. Read more on Sundowns, Moroccan clubs Raja CA and AS FAR and also Congolese contenders AS Maniema Union below.
Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA)
Background
Once current Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe became the majority owner of the Pretoria club in 2004, Sundowns gradually grew to eclipse traditional South African powers Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates culminating in their current streak of seven consecutive top division titles. A dedication to attractive play, academy development and extensive scouting for the transfer of foreign players continues to make Sundowns a club that not only dominates South African football but regularly competes for top honors in the CAF Champions League. Once again the expectations are high for Masandawana who continue the search for a CAF Champions League title since their first one in 2016.
How did they qualify?
Sundowns qualified for the competition after winning the 2023-24 South African Premiership, their seventh consecutive title in the country's top division.
Qualifying stages
First Round: Bye
Second Round: Defeated Mbabane Swallows (SWZ) 8-0 on aggregate
Coach- Manqoba Mngqithi
Photo Credit: Mamelodi Sundowns FC
The native of KwaZulu-Natal province rose to prominence as a coach over two spells with Durban club Golden Arrows and has certainly paid his dues to manage South Africa's top club. Mngqithi was a co-coach with current Wydad AC manager Rhulani Mokwena before the latter was given preference while Mngqithi was demoted to more of an assistant role in 2022. The 53-year-old handled the situation gracefully and was rewarded with the manager role upon Mokwena's departure in July. A skilled tactician who also prioritizes discipline, Mngqithi has been waiting for this opportunity to lead Sundowns in Africa's top club competition and understands that winning or reaching the final is the expectation.
Important Player: Ronwen Williams
Photo Credit: Mamelodi Sundowns FC
The list of important players on Sundowns is heavily populated but the South Africa national team star goalkeeper must be acknowledged. The Champions League knockout stages feature many close matches and the winner is very likely to encounter one or two penalty shootouts on their journey. Saving penalty kicks is a specialty of Williams who also has excellent reflexes and confidence on the ball to make him Africa's best example of a "modern goalkeeper".
Author: Andrew Olsson
Raja CA (MAR)
Background
Raja Club Athletic is moving forward with ambition and determination towards the CAF Champions League driven by the tactical vision of its new coach, Jorge Sá Pinto. The Portuguese coach, known for his passionate temperament and rigorous approach, took the reins of the “Green Eagles” with the objective of restoring their continental image. Three-time winners of the competition (1989, 1997, 1999), Raja aspires to reconnect with its glorious past, relying on a team combining experience and promising young talents while adopting an offensive and intense style of play that is symbolic of Sá Pinto's preferred style of play.
How did they qualify?
Raja qualified by winning the 2023-24 Botola Pro, the top division of Moroccan football.
Qualifying stages
First Round: Defeated AS GNN (NER) 7-1 on aggregate
Second Round: Defeated Samartex (GHA) 4-2 on aggregate
Coach: Ricardo Sá Pinto
Ricardo Sá Pinto is a Portuguese coach and former international player best known for his passionate temperament, both on the pitch and on the bench. Born in 1972 in Porto, Sá Pinto had a playing career marked by his time at Sporting CP where he became an icon and represented the Portugal national team.
As a coach, he has managed several clubs across Europe, the Middle East and Africa including Standard de Liège in Belgium where he won the Belgian Cup in 2018. Sá Pinto is known for his energetic and offensive style of play, but also for his fiery character which can sometimes create tension. So far, Sá Pinto has yet to taste victory with the "Green Eagles" recording five draws and one defeat since joining Raja.
Important Player: Naoufel Zerhouni
Zerhouni is a talented Moroccan football player who operates as an attacker or winger, known for his versatility and technique to create chances and score timely goals. Zerhouni was most talked about when he played with FUS Rabat where he was one of the key elements of the team, attracting attention with his regular performances in Botola Pro. Crowned with a historic double last season by winning the Botola Pro and Morocco's Throne Cup with Raja, Zerhouni is trying to stand out this season in the Champions League. Currently he is the key element of Raja with 2 goals and 3 assists in the qualifying stages of the continental competition.
Author: Omar Chraibi
AS Maniema Union (COD)
Background
Based in the center-east Maniema province of DR Congo, Les Verts et Noirs were founded in 2005 and quickly became a regional power in a Congolese football scene where regional and provincial championships historically have a high importance. Maniema Union have yet to win DR Congo's top division Linafoot but have captured three domestic Coupe du Congo titles (2007, 2017, 2019) and are making their CAF Champions League debut this season.
How did they qualify?
Maniema Union finished as the runners-up to TP Mazembe at the conclusion of the 2023-24 Linafoot campaign.
Qualifying stages
First Round: Defeated Ngezi Platinum (ZIM) 4-3 in a penalty shootout after drawing 0-0 on aggregate
Second Round: Defeated Petro de Luanda (ANG) 2-1 on aggregate
Coach: Papy Kimoto
Photo Credit: AS Maniema Union
The 48-year-old born in Kinshasa enjoyed an illustrious career as a player, beginning his career in DR Congo with clubs like AS Vita Club before spending fourteen years abroad mainly in Belgium and Israel while representing his country in two Africa Cup of Nations. Kimoto began his coaching career as an assistant with the Leopards of the DR Congo national team and also has coached the women's national team. After time spent with lesser known Congolese clubs, qualifying for the Champions League group stage is an excellent accomplishment and gives Kimoto and his players an opportunity on a big stage.
Important Player: Jeancy Mboma
Photo Credit: AS Maniema Union
The 24-year-old right winger is an exciting and entertaining player who continues to captivate Maniema Union supporters. Mboma is establishing himself as one of the top players in DR Congo's Linafoot and appears set to be the next domestic-based talent to move abroad from a club where current Young Africans player Maxi Mpia Nzengeli established himself. Described as "faster than the wind" by the AS Maniema Union website, Mboma is a very direct player and eagerly attacks defenders on the dribble to open up shooting or crossing opportunities.
Author: Andrew Olsson
AS FAR (MAR)
Background
AS FAR, a Moroccan club founded in 1958, embodies the discipline and history of national football. Thanks to its deep roots within the Royal Armed Forces, the club in the capital Rabat has always conveyed values of rigor and excellence.
Its track record, which includes the CAF Champions League in 1985, makes it a major player on the African scene and its influence extends beyond the borders of Morocco. Today, the military club continues to play a crucial role in Morocco's top division Botola Pro with a solid and ambitious team as well as a fierce rivalry with Raja de Casablanca who edged out AS FAR for both the league and the Throne Cup final last season. The club is striving to recapture the glory of its golden years in Africa by putting together a competitive and well-supported team even if the start of the season in the championship has not been underwhelming.
How did they qualify?
AS FAR finished as runners-up at the end of the 2023-24 Botola Pro season.
Qualifying stages
First Round: Defeated Remo Stars (NGA) 3-2 on aggregate
Second Round: Defeated Al-Merrikh (SDN) 4-2 on aggregate
Coach: Hubert Velud
Photo Credit: Association Sportive des Forces Armées Royales - ASFAR
Hubert Velud, a well-known French coach in the world of African football, was recently appointed as head coach of AS FAR in 2024. Before that he had notable experiences with African clubs such as JS Kabylie in Algeria and TP Mazembe in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where he won several major trophies including the CAF Confederation Cup in 2016.
Velud is also recognized for his previous adventures with national teams like Togo and Burkina Faso, although he left the latter position after failing to meet expectations at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. His arrival at AS FAR is part of an ambitious project aimed at strengthening the team and making it competitive on the African scene. With solid experience in Africa, Velud hopes to bring to AS FAR the stability and success he has enjoyed elsewhere in Africa.
Important Player: Amine Zouhzouh
Amine Zouhzouh (24 years old) is a talented Moroccan midfielder, currently one of the best players in the country's Botola Pro after having proven himself within AS FAR where he emerged as one of the pillars of the club. Thanks to his vision, his ability to recover balls and precise passing he quickly became a key piece in the AS FAR midfield last season with 9 goals and 10 assists in league play. Zouhzouh has also appeared with the Morocco under-23 national team and is likely to represent his country at the upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN) in February.
Author: Omar Chraibi
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