CAF Champions League: Espérance Tunis fails to qualify, Al Ahly and Mamelodi Sundowns stumble

Tops
Pyramids and Berkane remain unshakeable

Pyramids has hit the ground running in this new Champions League season. The Egyptians, who won their first match against Rivers United (3-0), won again on Saturday against Zambia's Power Dynamo thanks to a goal from Mohamed Reda. They now have six points after two games and are second in Group A.

Ahead of Pyramids is RS Berkane, the second club to achieve a perfect 6/6 after two games. In Friday evening's opener, the Moroccans snatched a 2-1 victory against Rivers United with two goals in added time from Youness El Kaabi (90+7) and Munir Chouiar (90+8).

Al Ahly and Mamelodi Sundowns stumble

Winners in their opening games, Al Ahly and Mamelodi Sundowns dropped points on the second matchday. The Egyptians had to settle for a miraculous 1-1 draw against AS FAR, who could have won had it not been for Oufa Shobeir's penalty save in the 37th minute. Al Ahly nevertheless remain top of Group B with four points after the second matchday.

On the other hand, South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns also came up short in Algeria against MC Alger. A disappointing 0-0 draw was the result of this match, but it suits the Brazilians, who occupy first place in Group C with 4 points, compared to 1 point for Rulani Mokwena's MC Alger, third in the standings.

First victory for Stade Malien

After holding Espérance Tunis to a draw on the first day (0-0), Stade Malien recorded its first victory this weekend, beating Simba SC 2-1 with goals from Taddeus Nkeng and Ismaila Simpara. Moril Njoya's men are second in Group D, level on points (4) with leaders Petro Luanda.

Petro Luanda, surprise leaders

In Group D, no one would have predicted Petro Luanda to be in first place after the draw. But the Angolans, led by Franc Artiga, have made a serious and solid start to the campaign. After their victory against Simba, the Angolans held Espérance Tunis to a draw and are now top of Group D with 4 points.

Flops
Espérance Tunis

This is one of the big disappointments of the early stages of the African Champions League group phase. Espérance Tunis is still struggling. After drawing with Stade Malien on the first day, the Tunisian club put in another poor performance on Saturday against Angola's Petro Luanda.

Simba

Tanzania's Simba SC are also struggling. After missing out on their opening game against Petro Luanda on the first day, a proud response was expected from the Lions, but they lost to Stade Malien (2-1), remaining bottom of Group D.

Lupopo and MC Alger lagging behind 

In Group C, MC Alger is one of the big disappointments. The Algerian club is only third with one point from two games, the same total as bottom-placed Saint-Eloi Lupopo. It has been a mixed start to the campaign for the Algerians, although the draw against Mamelodi Sundowns in Rulani Mokwena's reunion with his former club could spark a new dynamic.

The break for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations should allow the Algerians to get their heads back in the game, as the third matchday will not return until January 23.

All the results from the second matchday
Rivers United 1-2 RS Berkane

JS Kabylie 0-0 Young Africans

FAR Rabat 1-1 Al Ahly

MC Alger 0-0 Mamelodi Sundowns

Power Dynamos 0-1 Pyramids

Petro Luanda 1-1 ES Tunis

Saint-Eloi Lupopo 1-1 Al Hilal Omdurman

Stade Malien 2-1 Simba SC