Matchday 5 of the CAF Champions League delivered defining moments across all four groups, with title holders Pyramids FC, record champions Al Ahly, and Mali’s Stade Malien all booking their places in the quarter-finals, while several qualification battles will be settled on the final day.
With one round remaining in the group stage, margins tightened, pressure mounted, and qualification scenarios sharpened across the continent.
Defending champions Pyramids FC confirmed top spot in Group A with a ruthless 4–1 away victory over Rivers United in Uyo, overturning a first-half deficit with a devastating second-half surge. After Stephen Manu had given the Nigerian side a surprise lead, Pyramids responded emphatically through Mostafa Fathi, Marwan Hamdi (penalty), Awda Al-Fakhouri, and Nasser Maher, sealing qualification with a match to spare.
In Ndola, Power Dynamos reignited the race for second place with a vital 2–0 home win over RS Berkane, thanks to second-half strikes from Ronel Manyanga and Prince Mumba. The result leaves Berkane and Dynamos level on points heading into the final round.
Al Ahly secured quarter-final qualification after a disciplined 0–0 draw away to JS Kabylie, extending their unbeaten run and maintaining top spot in Group B. The Egyptian giants weathered sustained pressure, with goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir producing key saves to preserve the point that took them beyond reach of the chasing pack.
In Rabat, AS FAR strengthened their position with a narrow 1–0 win over Young Africans, where Anas Bach struck late to give the Moroccans control of their destiny going into the final round.
Group C remains finely poised after MC Alger handed Al-Hilal Omdurman their first defeat, winning 2–1 in Algiers to throw qualification wide open.
Stade Malien etched their name into CAF Champions League history by qualifying for the quarter-finals for the first time, following a disciplined 1–0 win over Esperance de Tunis. Koro Kouyali’s second-half strike proved decisive, lifting the Malians to 11 points and securing top spot in Group D with a game to spare.
In Luanda, Petro Atletico missed the chance to strengthen their position after being held 1–1 by Simba, who equalised late through Anicet Ora to deny the hosts a vital victory.
—CAF
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