Africa-Press – Rwanda. Amahoro Stadium is set to welcome some of Africa’s biggest football clubs for the CAF Champions League group stage (Group C), featuring Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), Al Hilal (Sudan), MC Alger (Algeria), and St Éloi Lupopo (DR Congo).
The development follows confirmation that Sudanese giants Al Hilal will host their CAF Champions League home matches at the stadium.
Al Hilal find themselves in a challenging Group C alongside perennial contenders Mamelodi Sundowns, Algerian powerhouse MC Alger, and DR Congo’s St Éloi Lupopo, all clubs with good histories and passionate fan bases.
Mamelodi Sundowns, based in Pretoria, South Africa, is one of Africa’s most successful and respected football clubs. The giants of the South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) boast a record number of league titles and numerous domestic trophies. On the continental stage, Sundowns have previously claimed CAF Champions League glory and continue to represent South Africa in African competitions.
As for Mouloudia Club d’Alger (MC Alger), they are one of Algeria’s most iconic football clubs. They recently secured their ninth Algerian Ligue 1 title, which is their second in a row. Based in Algiers, MC Alger stand as the country’s third-most decorated club, behind JS Kabylie (14 titles) and CR Belouizdad (10).
Saint-Éloi Lupopo, is a professional football club based in Lubumbashi, DR Congo. They booked their place in the group stages after a dramatic victory over South Africa’s Orlando Pirates. Lupopo triumphed 5-4 on penalties at Orlando Stadium last month, overcoming a spirited Pirates comeback that saw the South Africans win the second leg 3-0 after losing the first by the same margin.
The return of CAF Champions League action to Rwanda marks a major milestone. It has been seven years since Rwandan fans last witnessed group-stage matches at Amahoro Stadium. The last appearance dates back to 2018, when Rayon Sports made history by reaching the group stages for the first time.
More CAF Champions League games in various cities
Football fans across Africa can look forward to a thrilling group-stage campaign this season, with exciting matchups set to unfold across the continent.
A marquee rematch headlines Group A, where reigning champions Pyramids FC of Egypt will face Moroccan giants RS Berkane, a replay of last season’s CAF Super Cup, which Pyramids won 1-0. Nigeria’s Rivers United and Zambia’s Power Dynamos complete the competitive group.
Record 12-time champions Al Ahly lead Group B, where they will meet Tanzania’s Young Africans, Moroccan champions AS FAR, and two-time African champions JS Kabylie.
Four-time winners Espérance de Tunis headline Group D, alongside Simba SC, Petro de Luanda, and Stade Malien, setting up heavyweight clashes across the competition.
The CAF Champions League group stage will kick off on the weekend of 21-23 November 2025, with two matchdays scheduled before the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025. The tournament will then pause for AFCON and resume on the weekend of 23-25 January 2026.
The knockout stage will begin on 13 March 2026. The CAF Champions League winners will take home USD 4 million, while the runners-up will receive USD 2 million.
The newly renovated Amahoro Stadium has official approval from both the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA to host international matches and competitions.
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