Photo Credit: Al Ahly SC
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. Egypt's Al Ahly headline Group C with the defending champions looking to quickly establish themselves as the favorites once again. Read all about Ahly as well as their challengers at the group stage: Orlando Pirates, CR Belouizdad and Stade d'Abidjan.
Al Ahly (EGY)
Background
Al Ahly SC, famously known as the "African Club of the Century," is the most decorated club in the history of African football. With an unparalleled record of 12 CAF Champions League titles, Al Ahly has cemented its place as a powerhouse in African and global football. The club from Cairo have also won a record 44 Egyptian Premier League titles, 39 Egypt Cups and 15 Egyptian Super Cups.
Along with its 12 Champions League titles, Ahly have also won the CAF Confederation Cup once (2014) and the CAF Super Cup on eight occasions. Perhaps most significant is their performance in the FIFA Club World Cup with four third-place finishes including victories against the likes of Mexico's Club América and CF Monterrey as well as Brazil's Palmeiras.
How did they qualify?
Ahly qualified as the reigning champions of the competition and also as the 2023-24 Egyptian Premier League champions.
Qualifying stages
First Round: Bye
Second Round: Defeated Gor Mahia (KEN) 6-0 on aggregate
Coach: Marcel Koller
Photo Credit: Al Ahly SC
Swiss coach Marcel Koller has been leading Al Ahly since September 2022 after plenty of experience in Swiss and German club football as well as a long and successful spell with the Austria national team between 2011 and 2017. Koller adapted quickly to the high pressure and expectations of coaching Al Ahly, winning the Egyptian Premier League and the CAF Champions League in each of his first two seasons in charge.
Koller has accumulated a record of 94 wins, 24 draws and only 14 losses during his time with The Red Devils. In fact the only competitions he has failed to win since 2022 are the 2023-24 Egypt Cup and the previous two editions of the CAF Super Cup (2023 and 2024).
Important Player: Wessam Abou Ali
Photo Credit: Al Ahly SC
The 25-year-old striker who was born in Denmark and represents the Palestine national team spent his early club career in Danish football and then in Sweden with Sirius IK. After scoring 11 goals in 17 appearances for Sirius, Ahly spent about $2 million to bring Abou Ali in to be their #9 and he has exceeded high expectations.
Abou Ali has 24 goals and 7 assists in 34 matches since joining Ahly in January 2024. He is a true #9 striker with strength and strong ability on aerial duels, providing the Cairo giants with the striker they desired in front of talented attackers Hussein El Shahat, Mohamed Magdy "Afsha" and Taher Mohamed.
Author: Hossam Ahmed
Orlando Pirates (RSA)
Background
Orlando Pirates hold the distinction of being the first club from South Africa to win the continent’s premier club prize when they lifted the CAF Champions League title by beating ASEC Mimosas in 1995. Affectionately known as the Buccaneers, the club followed up that historic victory by winning the 1996 CAF Super Cup. Thereafter their record in Africa has been patchy, with a runners-up finish in the 2013 edition of the CAF Champions League, and runners-up medals in the 2015 and 2021-22 editions of the CAF Confederation Cup.
How did they qualify?
Orlando Pirates qualified for the Champions League after finishing as runners-up in the 2023-24 South African Premiership.
Qualifying stages
First Round: Defeated Disciples FC (MDR) 4-0 on aggregate
Second Round: Defeated Jwaneng Galaxy (BWA) 3-0 on aggregate
Coach: José Riveiro
Photo Credit: Orlando Pirates Football Club
Spanish coach José Riveiro is overseeing a turnaround at the club since his appointment in 2022. Having arrived as an unheralded coach from the Finnish league and labelled as a ‘plumber’ by football supporters, Riveiro has seemingly plugged all the leaks in Pirates’ ship. With him at the helm, Bucs have been on a cup-winning spree. They have lifted three MTN8 titles and two Nedbank Cup trophies. That’s on top of back to back runner-up finishes in South Africa's Betway Premiership.
Important Player: Patrick Maswanganyi
Photo Credit: Orlando Pirates Football Club
Maswanganyi is one of several key players for Pirates. Whether it’s initiating attacks or scoring goals himself, the 26-year-old attacker has been instrumental in the club’s rising fortunes. He also scored for South Africa in the recent AFCON qualifiers and has been touted as the replacement for veteran international Themba Zwane. Spent his early club career in Portugal before returning to South Africa with SuperSport United and then Pirates where he quickly developed into an important player.
Author: Kamlesh Gosai
CR Belouizdad (ALG)
Background
Founded in 1962 after Algeria gained independence, CR Belouizdad are the most successful club from the capital city of Algiers with 22 titles including 10 Algerian Ligue 1 championships. Recent dominance continues to give the club a platform in Africa's biggest club competition where they reached the quarterfinal stage three times between 2020 and 2023. The club's streak of four consecutive Ligue 1 titles was broken by MC Alger last season but the administration of the club is highly focused on achieving continental dominance to reach the heights of top North African clubs like Al Ahly, Wydad AC and Espérance.
How did they qualify?
CRB qualified after finishing as runners-up in the 2023-24 Algeria Ligue 1 Professionnelle season.
Qualifying stages
First Round: Defeated AC Léopards (COG) 3-0 on aggregate
Second Round: Defeated AS Douanes (BFA) 4-3 in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw on aggregate.
Coach: Abdelkader Amrani
Photo Credit: Chabab Riadhi Belouizdad - CRB
A disappointing start to the 2024-25 season saw French coach Corentin Martins dismissed and the 68-year-old Amrani took over. In a coaching career of over thirty years, Amrani has managed every top Algerian club with a couple of brief spells in Saudi Arabia and Morocco. The experienced coach previously won the domestic Coupe d'Algerie with CRB in 2019 but this season presents a unique and difficult challenge. After taking some time to become familiar with his squad since his hiring in mid-October, the results and chemistry of the team are beginning to improve just in time for the Champions League group stage.
Important Player: Abderrahmane Meziane
Photo Credit: Chabab Riadhi Belouizdad - CRB
The acquisition of top Algerian strikers Islam Slimani and Aymen Mahious (on loan) signaled CRB's intentions and expectations to make a serious impact in the Champions League. However the strikers need service and Meziane is the tricky winger who can provide the assists for CRB. The 30-year-old former USM Alger star won the 2022-23 CAF Confederation Cup with USMA and also was an important player for Algeria at the 2022 African Nations Championship (CHAN).
Author: Andrew Olsson
Stade d'Abidjan (CIV)
Background
Stade d'Abidjan, founded in 1936 under the name ASFI Abidjan, is one of the oldest clubs in Ivory Coast and Africa. Based in Abidjan, the economic capital of the country, the club has enjoyed a rich history marked by numerous national and continental successes.
In 1966 it became the first Ivorian club to win the CAF Champions League, a feat which remains one of the highlights of its history. On the national level, Stade d'Abidjan has won the Ivorian championship five times (1962, 1964, 1965, 1966 and 1969) and the Coupe de Côte d'Ivoire five times (1971, 1976, 1984, 1994 and 2000). It also triumphed in 1977 in the UFOA Cup (West African Club Championship) and won the Félix-Houphouët-Boigny Cup (Ivorian Super Cup) in 1985 and 2018. The club currently plays at the Stade Robert Champroux, an emblematic venue in its history.
How did they qualify?
Stade d'Abidjan finished as runners-up in the 2023-24 Ivorian Ligue 1 championship.
Qualifying stages
First Round: Defeated Teungueth (SEN) 5-4 in a penalty shootout after drawing 2-2 on aggregate
Second Round: Defeated Milo FC (GUI) 3-2 on aggregate
Head Coach: Alexandre Lafitte
Frenchman Alexandre Lafitte, aged 26, has been the coach of Stade d’Abidjan for two years. The youngest French coach of a first division team, he acquired solid training at the PSG Academy, Paris FC, Gueugnon and in Africa before taking the reins of the club. Under his leadership, Stade d'Abidjan have shown impressive form by finishing as runners-up last season and they are preparing to compete in the CAF Champions League this season. His tactical vision and modern approach to the game have made him a major asset to the team, bringing a new dynamic to the historic club.
Important Player: Roger Assalé
Roger Assalé is one of the key players at Stade d'Abidjan, recognized for his speed, technique and sense of goal. The Ivorian striker, who played at a high level with the Elephants of Ivory Coast, plays a vital role in the club's attack. His performances on the pitch are decisive for the success of Stade d'Abidjan and his ability to score in important moments makes him a centerpiece of the team. The 31-year-old former TP Mazembe and Young Boys attacker is a natural leader and role model for the club's young players.
Author: Hillary Christelle Tolo Kpadonou
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