The CAF Champions League officially the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League for sponsorship reasons stands as Africas most prestigious club football competition. Organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the season marks its 61st edition and the 29th under the current title. With 59 teams from 47 associations competing for glory, the tournament offers a pathway to the 2025 FIFA Intercontinental Cup, the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup, and the 2025 CAF Super Cup. Al Ahly, the defending champions with a record 12 titles, faced fierce competition, but Mamelodi Sundowns emerged as finalists after a dramatic semi-final. This CAF Champions League, with information on the standings, statistics, important games, and how to follow the action.
Table of Contents
Overview of the CAF Champions League
The season, which begins on August 16, 2024 and concludes on June 1, 2025, follows a structured structure:
- Qualifying Rounds: 59 teams entered, with 43 competing in the first round and 16 receiving byes to the second round. The 16 second-round winners advanced to the group stage.
- Group Stage: 16 teams, drawn into four groups of four on October 7, 2024, played home-and-away matches from November 26, 2024, to January 18, 2025. The top two teams per group progressed to the quarter-finals.
- Knockout Stage: Quarter-finals (April 1-8, 2025), semi-finals (April 19-26, 2025), and a two-legged final (May 24 and June 1, 2025) determine the champion.
The competition saw 142 matches scheduled, with 137 completed by April 1, 2025, and 337 goals scored, averaging 2.45 goals per game, per FootyStats. Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates have reached the final, set to clash for the title.
Key Teams and Standings
Group Stage Standings
The group stage, detailed by ESPN and Sofascore, featured tight races. A snapshot of Group C after Matchday 1, shared by @iDiskiTimes on X, showed:
- Al Ahly (Egypt): +2 goal difference, 3 points
- Orlando Pirates (South Africa): 3 points, +1 goal difference
- CR Belouizdad (Algeria): 0 points, -1 goal difference
- Stade d’Abidjan (Ivory Coast): 0 points, -2 goal difference
Other groups included powerhouses like Mamelodi Sundowns, Esperance, and Pyramids FC. Young Africans SC led early with 6 points from 2 matches, scoring 10 goals without conceding, per FootyStats.
Semi-Final Highlights
- Mamelodi Sundowns vs.Al Ahly: A tense second leg in Cairo was set up after the first leg ended 0-0 at Loftus Versfeld. Mamelodi Sundowns secured a 1-1 draw, advancing on away goals after a late own goal by Al Ahly’s Yasser Ibrahim, as reported by @iDiskiTimes and @3SportsGh.
- Orlando Pirates vs. Pyramids: A 0-0 first-leg draw at FNB Stadium led to a 1-0 second-leg win for Orlando Pirates, with a single shot on target proving decisive, per ESPN.
Finalists
Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates, both from South Africa, will contest the final, marking a historic all-South African showdown. Sundowns aim for their second title, while Pirates seek their first since 1995.
Key Players and Stats
Top Scorers
- Ibrahim Adel (Pyramids FC): 5 goals, a standout in the group stage.
- Emam Ashour (Al Ahly): 4 goals, showcasing midfield dynamism.
- Fiston Kalala Mayele (Pyramids FC), Mohau Nkota (Mamelodi Sundowns), Relebohile Ratomo (Orlando Pirates), Achref Jebri (Esperance), Hussein El Shahat (Al Ahly), Aymen Mahious (CR Belouizdad), Peter Shalulile (Mamelodi Sundowns),
- Elias Mokwana (Esperance): Each with 3 goals, per FootyStats.
Team Stats
- Goals Scored: Pyramids FC led with 31 goals, followed by Esperance (24), Young Africans (22), and Al Ahly (21).
- Clean Sheets: Al Ahly and Mamelodi Sundowns each recorded 5 clean sheets, per Sofascore.
- Pyramids FC scored an average of 2.58 goals per game throughout the tournament, for an average of 1.98 goals per match.
- Disciplinary: 387 yellow cards and 15 red cards issued, with CR Belouizdad’s Khanyisa Mayo receiving a notable red, per ESPN.
Standout Performances
- Mamelodi Sundowns: Their tactical discipline was highlighted by their defensive resiliency and late own-goal heroics against Al Ahly.
- Orlando Pirates: A 1-0 win over MC Alger in the quarter-finals and a gritty semi-final performance showcased their knack for clutch moments.
- Pyramids FC: Despite their semi-final exit, their 31 goals underscored their attacking prowess, led by Ibrahim Adel.
Where to Track CAF Champions League Stats
Fans can access real-time data through reliable platforms:
- ESPN (africa.espn.com): Offers comprehensive stats, including goals, assists, and clean sheets, with standings updated post-matchday.
- Sofascore (sofascore.com): Tracks live scores, player ratings, and tournament averages, noting Al Ahly’s 86,000-capacity stadium as the largest.
- FootyStats (footystats.org): Provides detailed metrics like goals, top scorers, and over/under stats, ideal for betting enthusiasts.
- CAF Official Website (cafonline.com): Features schedules, results, and press releases, though navigation may require JavaScript.
- Soccer24.com: Delivers livescores, match details, and betting odds comparisons.
- Flashscore.com: Real-time scores and standings, covering matches like MC Alger vs. Orlando Pirates (0-1).
- FotMob (fotmob.com): Lists top scorers, assists, and player ratings for quick reference.
- X Posts: Accounts like @iDiskiTimes and @3SportsGh share updates, such as Sundowns’ final qualification.
Broadcasting and Live Updates
- Africa: beIN Sports and SuperSport broadcast matches continent-wide, with free-to-air channels in select countries.
- Global: CAF’s YouTube channel and beIN Connect stream select games, with ESPN (Star+) offering coverage in Latin America.
- Live Scores: Apps like 365Scores and Livesport.com provide instant updates on goals, cards, and standings.
Key Matches and Moments
The 2024/2025 season has delivered drama:
- Group Stage (November 26, 2024–January 18, 2025): Pyramids’ 4-1 victory over AS FAR Rabat and Al Ahly’s 1-0 victory over Al-Hilal Omdurman set the tone early.
- Quarter-Finals (April 1-8, 2025): Orlando Pirates’ 1-0 win over MC Alger and Pyramids’ 4-1 rout of AS FAR Rabat were pivotal, per FootyStats.
- Semi-Finals (April 19-26, 2025): Mamelodi Sundowns’ 1-1 draw in Cairo, sealed by an own goal, and Orlando Pirates’ 1-0 second-leg win over Pyramids secured their final spots.
- Final (May 24 and June 1, 2025): The all-South African clash between Sundowns and Pirates promises intensity, with Sundowns favored due to their experience.
Challenges and Controversies
- Scheduling Delays: The Libyan Premier League’s late completion led to placeholder entries (Libya 1 and Libya 2) during the draw, resolved by July 22, 2024.
- Financial Withdrawals: Red Star de Bangui’s withdrawal gave Djoliba a walkover, highlighting financial strains for smaller clubs.
- Broadcast Access: Limited global streaming options restrict international viewership, though beIN Sports’ Doha-based coverage helps.
- North African Dominance: Egyptian and Moroccan clubs hold 25 of 45 titles, with Al Ahly’s 12 titles dwarfing others, raising competitive balance concerns.
Historical Context and Prize Money
Al Ahly’s 2024 title, a 1-0 aggregate win over Esperance, reinforced their dominance, with Egyptian clubs claiming 18 titles. The 2024/2025 season’s prize money, increased in August 2024, offers $4 million to the winner, $2 million to the runner-up, and $900,000 to quarter-finalists, per CAF announcements. The tournament’s history includes iconic moments, like Orlando Pirates’ 1995 triumph, the first by a South African club.
Conclusion
Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates defied expectations to reach an all-South African final in the CAF Champions League, a thrilling showcase of African football. Pyramids FC’s 31 goals, Al Ahly’s defensive prowess, and Ibrahim Adel’s scoring heroics have defined the season, despite challenges like financial withdrawals and North African dominance. Fans can track every goal and stat on ESPN, Sofascore, FootyStats, and CAF’s official site, with beIN Sports and SuperSport delivering live action. As the May 24 and June 1, 2025, final approaches, this guide equips you to follow the drama. Will Sundowns claim their second title, or will Pirates repeat their 1995 glory? Visit cafonline.com or follow @iDiskiTimes on X for the latest, and join the celebration of Africa’s football elite!
References:
- ESPN: CAF Champions League Stats 2024-25
- Sofascore: CAF Champions League Table & Stats
- FootyStats: CAF Champions League 2024/2025 Tables & Stats
- Wikipedia: 2024–25 CAF Champions League
- CAF Online: CAF Champions League Updates
- @iDiskiTimes on X: Mamelodi Sundowns Final Qualification
- @3SportsGh on X: Sundowns vs. Al Ahly Semi-Final
FAQS
Who are the finalists in the 2024/2025 CAF Champions League?
Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates, both from South Africa, will face off in the final on May 24 and June 1, 2025, marking an all-South African showdown.
Who are the top scorers in the 2024/2025 CAF Champions League?
Ibrahim Adel (Pyramids FC) leads with 5 goals, followed by Emam Ashour (Al Ahly) with 4, and several players, including Mohau Nkota (Mamelodi Sundowns), tied at 3, per FootyStats.
What is the average goals per match in the 2024/2025 season?
The tournament averages 1.98 goals per match, with 337 goals scored across 137 matches as of April 1, 2025, according to Sofascore.
Which teams have the most clean sheets?
Al Ahly and Mamelodi Sundowns each recorded 5 clean sheets, showcasing their defensive strength, per Sofascore.
Where can I find live CAF Champions League stats and scores?
ESPN, Sofascore, FootyStats, Soccer24.com, and Flashscore.com offer live scores, standings, and stats, with updates on matches like Sundowns vs. Orlando Pirates.
