Mamelodi Sundowns headline CAF Champions League draw as Berkane earn top seeding debut

South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns will again be among the top seeds for the CAF Champions’ League group-stage draw on Monday, joined by Egyptian giants Al Ahly, Tunisia’s Esperance, and surprising debutants Renaissance Berkane of Morocco.

The draw, set to take place at a SuperSport studio in Johannesburg, comes as South Africa enjoys strong continental representation, with Stellenbosch and Kaizer Chiefs also in the CAF Confederation Cup.

Seedings for the Champions League are based on results in both the premier competition and the second-tier Confederation Cup over the past five seasons.

While Berkane have never featured in the Champions League before, their consistent success in the Confederation Cup; reaching three finals and winning two; earned them enough ranking points to secure a Pot 1 spot alongside the continental heavyweights. The “Orange Boys,” from Morocco’s northeast citrus-growing region, accumulated 52 points to claim the final top seed place.

Defending champions Pyramids FC of Egypt headline the second-seed group after last season’s dramatic 3–2 aggregate triumph over Sundowns in the final.

Three other former African champions; Mouloudia Alger, JS Kabylie (both Algeria) and FAR Rabat (Morocco); also feature in the group-stage line-up. Former winners Orlando Pirates, ASEC Mimosas, and Stade Abidjan failed to progress beyond the qualifying phase.

This season also welcomes several debutants at the group stage, including Saint-Eloi Lupopo (DR Congo), Power Dynamos (Zambia), Rivers United (Nigeria), and Stade Malien (Mali).

CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

POT 1: Al Ahly (EGY), Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA), Esperance (Tunisia), Renaissance Berkane (MAR)

POT 2: Simba, Young Africans (both TAN), Pyramids (EGY, holders), Al Hilal (SUD)

POT 3: Petro Luanda (ANG), FAR Rabat (MAR), Mouloudia Alger (ALG), Rivers Utd (NGR)

POT 4: JS Kabylie (ALG), Stade Malien (MLI), Saint-Eloi Lupopo (COD), Power Dynamos (ZAM)

CAF CONFEDERATION CUP

POT 1: Zamalek (EGY), Wydad Casablanca (MAR), Chabab Belouizdad, USM Alger (both ALG)

POT 2: Al Masry (EGY), Stellenbosch (RSA), Djoliba (MLI), Maniema Union (COD)

POT 3: Kaizer Chiefs (RSA), Otoho (CGO)

POT 4: AZAM, Singida Black Stars (both TAN), ZESCO Utd (ZAM), San Pedro (CIV), Olympique Safi (MAR), Nairobi Utd (KEN)