Africa's elite club competitions resume this month with pivotal group stage matches in both the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup, as teams battle for quarter-final berths. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed January 23-25 fixtures that promise intense regional rivalries and strategic showdowns.
Record 12-time Champions League winners Al Ahly face Tanzania's Young Africans in Cairo on January 23, while South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns host Sudan's Al Hilal in Pretoria. These opening matches could reshape group dynamics as clubs approach the competition's halfway mark.
In the Confederation Cup, Algeria's USM Alger clashes with Mali's Djoliba AC on January 24 in a match that may determine Group A leadership. The weekend fixtures feature 28 matches across eight groups, with Egyptian clubs Zamalek and Al Masry set for a derby-style encounter on January 25.
Key Champions League Matches: • Al Ahly vs Young Africans (Jan 23, 16:00 GMT) • Mamelodi Sundowns vs Al Hilal (Jan 23, 18:00 GMT) • Espérance de Tunis vs Simba SC (Jan 24, 16:00 GMT)
Notable Confederation Cup Fixtures: • USM Alger vs Djoliba AC (Jan 24, 19:00 GMT) • Zamalek vs Al Masry (Jan 25, 19:00 GMT) • Kaizer Chiefs vs ZESCO United (Jan 25, 13:00 GMT)
With only two group rounds completed before the Africa Cup of Nations break, these matches carry heightened significance for clubs seeking continental glory. Squad rotations and tactical adaptations will be crucial as teams manage simultaneous domestic league commitments.
