Orlando Pirates and Al Ahly have secured their spots in the knockout stages of the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League after pivotal victories this past weekend.
However, any notion that the upcoming clash between the Mighty Buccaneers and the Red Devils is a mere formality would be a gross miscalculation. With the top spot in Group C still up for grabs, this weekend’s match promises to be a high-stakes encounter.
Battle for Group Supremacy
As it stands, Orlando Pirates lead the group with 11 points from five matches, while Al Ahly trail closely behind with 10 points after the same number of matches. This sets the stage for a winner-takes-all showdown on Saturday, with both teams vying for the coveted first-place finish.
First or Second?
With both teams competing on multiple fronts in their respective domestic campaigns, one might expect the coaches to rotate their squads to ease the burden of a congested schedule. However, this is highly unlikely given the significance of finishing atop the group.
A first-place finish guarantees a seeded position in the knockout draw, ensuring a clash against a second-placed team from another group. Additionally, the seeded team enjoys the advantage of hosting the decisive second leg in the knockout rounds.
But is this truly an advantage?
Historical trends suggest otherwise. Over the last seven editions of the CAF Champions League, only three champions finished first in their group. The remaining four winners emerged from second place.
Interestingly, the last time Orlando Pirates and Al Ahly crossed paths in this competition was in 2013. Both teams advanced from Group A, which also included Egyptian giants Zamalek and AC Leopards. That year, they met again in the final, adding another layer of intrigue to this storied rivalry.
As we prepare for this pivotal encounter, here’s an in-depth preview of what fans can expect.
Current Form (Last Five Matches): W–W–W–L-D
Al Ahly enters this match in fine form, having secured a 2-0 victory over El Gouna in the Egyptian Premier League on Wednesday. Star man Emam Ashour scored both goals, showcasing his importance to the team.
The Red Devils are unbeaten in their last three matches across all competitions, scoring seven goals and conceding just two in the process.
