AFCON 2025
The line-up for the 2025/26 CAF Confederation Cup group stage has been confirmed after a thrilling weekend of second-leg encounters filled with goals, tension and remarkable storylines across Africa.
Sixteen clubs from 14 nations booked their places, setting the stage for an exciting group-stage draw in Johannesburg on Monday, 3 November.
Egypt’s Al Masry advanced after a hard-fought 2–1 aggregate victory over Libyan rivals Al-Ittihad in a fiery North African derby that showcased the region’s enduring dominance in continental football.
Southern Africa also celebrated major success, joining Morocco as the only region with two representatives in the group phase. South African giants Kaizer Chiefs sealed their spot with a 3–1 aggregate win over AS Simba of DR Congo, while Stellenbosch FC produced a statement performance, sweeping aside Angola’s 15 de Agosto 4–1 to reach the group stage for the first time in their history.
East Africa witnessed one of the weekend’s most dramatic outcomes as Kenya’s Nairobi United continued their fairytale debut campaign. The newcomers stunned Tunisia’s Etoile du Sahel, drawing 2–2 on aggregate before triumphing 7–6 in a nerve-wracking penalty shootout to book a historic qualification.
In West and Central Africa, Mali’s Djoliba edged Burkina Faso’s USFA 2–1 over two legs, while Congo’s AS Otoho eased past Ferroviário Maputo of Mozambique 3–0 to complete a balanced 16-team field.
