The CAF Champions League 2024/25 season will have its usual African football heavyweights represented in the group stages of the competition after defending champions Al Ahly SC, as well as former champions Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates and TP Mazembe all secured qualification on Saturday afternoon.
Two matches took place in South Africa on Saturday where 1995 champions, Orlando Pirates secured their place in the group stages of the competition for the first time in five years after overcoming Botswana’s Jwaneng Galaxy 1-0 in Orlando, Soweto.
A late strike by the in-form Monnapule Saleng was enough to seal a 3-0 aggregate score for the Buccaneers.
Sundowns were also in action against Eswatini’s Mbabane Swallows whom they had outclassed 4-0 in the first leg. The 2016 champions wrapped up the two-legged tie at home with another 4-0 win to double the aggregate score with no response from their opponents.
Reigning champions Al Ahly cruised past Kenya’s Gor Mahia with a clinical 3-0 display in Cairo to comfortably march into the group stages. The record-title holders came into the clash with a comfortable 3-0 first leg win, which they comfortably replicated in Cairo.
Despite having one foot into the group stage with a first leg 2-0-win, TP Mazembe had to keep a resilient Red Arrows at bay in Lubumbashi.
The Zambians put up a good showing away from home, but the five-time champions’ experience came to the fore as they edged the visitors 2-1 at home.
The shock result of the afternoon was in undoubtedly in Luanda when Petro de Luanda saw their TotalEnergies CAF Champions League dream shattered by DR Congo side, AS Maniema Union who advanced to the group stages for the first time in the history of the competition at the expense of the Angolan champions.
Maniema Union held Petro to a goalless draw in front of their home fans after overcoming them to a 2-1 in the first leg.
TotalEnergies CAF Champions League action continues with more fixtures taking place on Sunday where the remaining spots in the group stages will be decided.
