The stage is set for thrilling battles in the 2024/25 CAF Champions League group stage following the draw held on Monday at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) headquarters in Cairo. Defending champions Al Ahly from Egypt find themselves in a competitive Group C alongside Orlando Pirates of South Africa.

Joining Al Ahly and Orlando Pirates in Group C are Algeria’s Chabab Belouizdad and Stade Abidjan from the Ivory Coast. The draw promises a challenging path for all teams involved, as each club vies for a spot in the knockout rounds of Africa’s premier club football competition.

Al Ahly enters the group stage as the team to beat, aiming for a historic third consecutive CAF Champions League title. They have been dominant in the past two editions, showcasing their supremacy on the continent. With 12 titles under their belt, Al Ahly is the most successful club in the competition’s history.

Led by Swiss coach Marcel Koller, Al Ahly has been a fortress in the Champions League, remaining unbeaten in their last 24 matches. This impressive run followed a heavy 5-2 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns in South Africa early in the previous year, which served as a turning point for the Cairo giants.

A standout achievement for Al Ahly last season was their defensive prowess, conceding just one goal throughout 14 matches—a new Champions League record. This defensive discipline proved crucial in securing their record 12th title, even as captain and goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy missed significant time due to injury, with Mostafa Shobeir stepping up in nine games.

Group C’s clash between Al Ahly and Orlando Pirates revives memories of their 2013 CAF Champions League final encounter. Al Ahly emerged victorious in that showdown, winning 2-0 in Cairo after a 1-1 draw in Soweto, and the upcoming matches promise to rekindle the fierce rivalry between the two clubs.

Chabab Belouizdad, who has established itself as a regular in the Champions League group stage, makes its fifth consecutive appearance this season. Meanwhile, Stade Abidjan of Ivory Coast makes a historic return to the competition, ending a 54-year absence since their last participation in 1966.

Elsewhere in the draw, South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, who have reached the semifinals in the past two editions, are placed in Group B. Sundowns will face Moroccan giants Raja Casablanca, FAR Rabat, and Maniema Union from the Democratic Republic of Congo in what promises to be a tightly contested group.

The Brazilians, as Sundowns are known, are chasing their second CAF Champions League title, having last lifted the trophy in 2016 when they defeated Egypt’s Zamalek. Sundowns have recently strengthened their squad with the signing of South African international striker Iqraam Rayners, adding firepower to their already potent attack.

In Group A, Tanzania’s Young Africans find themselves among familiar foes. After their narrow quarterfinal defeat to Sundowns last season, the Tanzanian side will face TP Mazembe of DR Congo, Al Hilal of Sudan, and Mouloudia Alger of Algeria. Coached by Argentine tactician Miguel Gamondi, Young Africans will be looking to make a deep run in the competition.

A key player to watch in Group A is Stephane Aziz Ki, the Burkinabe midfielder who has been instrumental for Young Africans, netting four goals during the qualifying rounds. His presence in the midfield could be a game-changer as the Tanzanian club aims to advance to the knockout stages.

Group D features a mix of North African and West African powerhouses. Tunisia’s Esperance will square off against Egypt’s Pyramids FC, Angola’s Sagrada Esperança, and Mali’s Djoliba. The group offers a blend of styles and traditions, making for intriguing matchups throughout the group stage.

Fans across the continent can look forward to the six matchdays of the group stage, which kick off on November 26-27 and conclude on January 17-18, 2025. The draw has set up a thrilling array of fixtures, with each team aiming to secure their place in the knockout rounds and inch closer to the coveted title.

As anticipation builds, the spotlight is firmly on Al Ahly’s quest for a third consecutive title. However, the presence of strong challengers like Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns, and Raja Casablanca ensures that the journey to continental glory will be anything but straightforward.

This season’s CAF Champions League promises drama, skill, and fierce competition, as the best clubs in Africa battle for supremacy on the grand stage. With Al Ahly looking to extend their legacy and other contenders eager to dethrone them, football fans are in for a spectacle of top-tier African football.