CAF Champions League

Complete guide to the CAF Champions League

The CAF Champions League is the highest level of club football in Africa. It brings together the top teams from across the continent to compete for the most important club trophy in African football.

Organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the competition also determines Africa’s representative at the FIFA Club World Cup.

As of April 2026, it remains the benchmark for club success across the continent.

History and background

The competition began in 1964 as the African Cup of Champions Clubs, featuring only domestic league winners.

In 1997, CAF restructured the tournament and introduced the CAF Champions League format. This included a group stage, increased commercial focus and broader participation from top-ranked associations.

Since the format change, the competition has been dominated largely by North African clubs, particularly from Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia.

Format and competition structure

The CAF Champions League combines knockout rounds with a group stage.

Preliminary rounds

• Teams enter in preliminary and first rounds
• Played over two legs (home and away)
• Winners advance to the group stage

Group stage

• 16 teams divided into four groups of four
• Each team plays six matches

Points system

• Win: 3 points
• Draw: 1 point
• Loss: 0 points

Tiebreakers

Teams level on points are separated by:

• Head-to-head points
• Head-to-head goal difference
• Head-to-head goals scored
• Overall goal difference
• Overall goals scored
• Drawing of lots (if required)

Knockout stage

• Top two teams from each group qualify for the quarter-finals
• Quarter-finals, semi-finals and final are played over two legs
• Aggregate score determines the winner
• Extra time and penalties are used if required

Qualification pathway

• Domestic league champions qualify
• Top-ranked associations can enter additional teams
• Entry round is determined by CAF’s five-year ranking system

Dynasties and dominant eras

Al Ahly dominance

Al Ahly are the most successful club in CAF Champions League history. Their success spans multiple eras, including sustained dominance in the 2000s and again in the 2020s.

Their consistency in knockout football and experience in two-legged ties has made them the benchmark on the continent.

TP Mazembe and early-modern success

TP Mazembe were dominant in both the early years of the competition and again in the late 2000s and early 2010s. Their success bridged different eras of African club football.

North African control

Clubs from Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia have dominated the modern format. Wydad Casablanca and Espérance de Tunis have consistently reached the latter stages, supported by strong domestic structures and continental experience.

Sub-Saharan breakthrough

Mamelodi Sundowns’ 2016 title remains one of the most significant wins outside North Africa in the modern era. It highlighted the potential for clubs from other regions to compete consistently.

Recent winners

• 2024: Al Ahly
• 2023: Al Ahly
• 2022: Wydad Casablanca
• 2021: Al Ahly
• 2020: Al Ahly

Most successful clubs

• Al Ahly – record title winners
• Zamalek – multiple titles across different eras
• TP Mazembe – success across early and modern periods
• Espérance de Tunis – consistent modern contenders
• Raja Casablanca – strong continental record

Notable goalscorers

Due to variations in record-keeping across eras, complete all-time rankings are limited. However, several players stand out for their impact:

• Flavio Amado – key scorer during Al Ahly’s dominant period
• Mohamed Aboutrika – combined goals with playmaking influence
• Mahmoud El Khatib – one of the leading figures in earlier editions

Players of significance

Mohamed Aboutrika played a central role in Al Ahly’s dominance in the 2000s, delivering in key knockout matches.

Wael Gomaa anchored the defence across multiple title-winning campaigns and remains one of the most decorated players in the competition.

Hossam Hassan’s longevity and influence across different eras made him one of the competition’s defining figures.

Denis Onyango was central to Mamelodi Sundowns’ 2016 triumph, highlighting the importance of goalkeeping in knockout football.

Managers of significance

Manuel José led Al Ahly through one of the most successful periods in the competition’s history, winning multiple titles.

Pitso Mosimane achieved success with both Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly, becoming one of the most influential modern coaches in African club football.

Faouzi Benzarti built success with multiple North African clubs, including continental titles and consistent deep runs.

Records and milestones

• Most successful club: Al Ahly
• First winner (1964): Oryx Douala
• First winner of modern format (1997): Raja Casablanca
• Notable modern winner outside North Africa: Mamelodi Sundowns (2016)

Why the CAF Champions League matters

The CAF Champions League is shaped by travel demands, varied playing conditions and tactical discipline. Matches are often decided by small margins, particularly in knockout rounds.

It remains the highest level of club football in Africa and a key pathway to global competition through the FIFA Club World Cup.

Success in this tournament defines a club’s standing on the continent