Egyptian clubs show strength in CAF Champions League

The strength of Egyptian clubs in the CAF Champions League was demonstrated again on Friday as Pyramids and Zamalek achieved away qualifying wins to all but seal group-phase slots.

Mahmoud Saber scored after 32 minutes to earn 2025 Champions League winners Pyramids a 1-0 second round, first leg victory over El Merriekh Bentiu in South Sudan capital Juba.

Five-time African champions Zamalek left it late to also win 1-0, away to Rwandan outfit APR in Kigali. Nasser Mansy struck the lone goal in the final minute of regular time.

Egyptian clubs have won the premier African club competition a record 19 times, led by Al Ahly with 12 titles.

Ahly finished only third in the last Egyptian Premier League behind Zamalek and Pyramids and will not compete in the Champions League this season.

Instead, they will take part in the second-tier CAF Confederation Cup, starting with an away qualifier against Ugandan club Kitara on Saturday.

Ahly had competed in every edition of the Champions League since 2004. During that period the Cairo Red Devils won the competition nine times and finished runners-up four times.

A further five first legs are scheduled for Saturday with a clash of two former champions, TP Mazembe from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Club Africain of Tunisia, a highlight.

The winners of the 16 second-round ties, which conclude on October 25, enter the six-matchday group phase where the minimum prize money is $500,000 (445,000 euros).