CAF Champions League Matchday 4: Momentum Swings and Early Separation as Group Battles Intensify
Matchday 4 of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League proved to be a defining checkpoint in the group phase, as momentum began to shift and the race for quarter-final places took clearer shape. With the competition reaching its halfway mark, authority at home, resilience on the road and late-game drama combined to redraw the balance across all four groups.
Defending champions Pyramids FC continued their measured march in Group A, while Al-Hilal Omdurman sent a powerful message in Group C by toppling continental heavyweights Mamelodi Sundowns. Elsewhere, Group B remained tightly contested, and Group D showcased grit and late comebacks that underlined just how unforgiving the margins are at this level.
Here is how Matchday 4 unfolded, group by group.
Group A: Pyramids Tighten Control as Power Dynamos Re-Enter the Race
Pyramids FC edged closer to the knockout rounds with a commanding 3–0 win over RS Berkane in Cairo, underlining their growing authority in Group A.
Mahmoud Abdel Hafeez “Zalaka” set the tone early before second-half goals from Nasser Maher and Ahmed Atef “Qatta” completed a dominant performance. The result lifts the Egyptian side to 10 points, opening a three-point cushion at the summit.
In Port Harcourt, Power Dynamos breathed new life into their campaign with a disciplined 1–0 away victory over Rivers United. Kundwani Chiboni’s second-half strike proved decisive, moving the Zambians into contention while Rivers remain rooted at the bottom.
Matchday 4 Results – Group A
Pyramids 3–0 RS Berkane
Rivers United 0–1 Power Dynamos
Standings – Group A
Pyramids – 10 pts
RS Berkane – 7 pts
Power Dynamos – 4 pts
Rivers United – 1 pt
Group B: Margins Remain Fine as Al Ahly Hold Steady
Group B continues to offer little room for error, with just six points separating top from bottom.
Al Ahly preserved their unbeaten run after being held to a 1–1 draw by Young Africans in Zanzibar. The hosts struck just before the interval, but Aliou Dieng made amends for an earlier lapse by powering home a second-half equaliser from a set piece.
In Rabat, AS FAR claimed a vital 1–0 victory over JS Kabylie, with Hamza Khabba delivering the decisive moment after the break. The win pulls the Moroccan side level on points with Young Africans, while Kabylie remain under pressure at the foot of the group.
Matchday 4 Results – Group B
Young Africans 1–1 Al Ahly
AS FAR Rabat 1–0 JS Kabylie
Standings – Group B
Al Ahly – 8 pts
AS FAR Rabat – 5 pts
Young Africans – 5 pts
JS Kabylie – 2 pts
Group C: Al-Hilal Make a Statement as MC Alger Respond
Group C witnessed one of Matchday 4’s defining moments as Al-Hilal Omdurman claimed a statement 2–1 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns on neutral ground in Kigali.
A stoppage-time penalty from Mohammed Abdel Rahman handed the Sudanese side the lead, before Jean Claude Girumugisha doubled the advantage early in the second half. Sundowns responded through Arthur Sales, but Al-Hilal’s composure saw them close out a landmark win that sends them clear at the top.
In Algiers, MC Alger finally found their footing with a controlled 2–0 win over St Éloi Lupopo, lifting both sides to four points, with the Algerians holding the edge on goal difference.
Matchday 4 Results – Group C
Al-Hilal Omdurman 2–1 Mamelodi Sundowns
MC Alger 2–0 St Éloi Lupopo
Standings – Group C
Al-Hilal Omdurman – 8 pts
Mamelodi Sundowns – 5 pts
MC Alger – 4 pts
St Éloi Lupopo – 4 pts
Group D: Grit, Missed Chances and Late Drama
Group D delivered tension and drama in equal measure, with Stade Malien holding firm under pressure to retain top spot.
The Malians earned a valuable 0–0 draw away to Petro Atletico, who missed a late penalty that could have reshaped the standings. Stade Malien remain unbeaten and in control at the halfway point.
In Dar es Salaam, Esperance de Tunis showcased resilience by fighting back from two goals down to draw 2–2 with Simba SC. Second-half strikes from Aboubacar Diakité and Kouceila Boualia completed the comeback, though a missed stoppage-time penalty denied Esperance a dramatic victory.
Matchday 4 Results – Group D
Petro Atletico 0–0 Stade Malien
Simba SC 2–2 Esperance de Tunis
Standings – Group D
Stade Malien – 8 pts
Esperance de Tunis – 6 pts
Petro Atletico – 5 pts
Simba SC – 1 pt
Looking Ahead: Matchday 5 Fixtures (GMT)
Group A
06 February – MC Alger vs Al-Hilal Omdurman (19:00)
07 February – RS Berkane vs Power Dynamos (13:00)
Group B
07 February – AS FAR Rabat vs Young Africans (19:00)
07 February – JS Kabylie vs Al Ahly (19:00)
Group C
08 February – St Éloi Lupopo vs Mamelodi Sundowns (13:00)
08 February – Rivers United vs Pyramids (16:00)
Group D
07 February – Petro Atletico vs Simba SC (16:00)
08 February – Stade Malien vs Esperance de Tunis (16:00)
