Goals, Drama and Upsets Mark CAF Champions League Night
- It was a dramatic evening in the CAF Champions League as Pyramids FC ran riot in Nigeria, Mamelodi Sundowns were held in Congo, and Stade Malien stunned Esperance to shake up the group stage picture.
Sunday night delivered another action-packed chapter in the CAF Champions League, with decisive results across Groups A, C and D as the race for knockout places intensified.
In Group A, Rivers United saw their hopes take a heavy blow after collapsing to a 4-1 home defeat against Pyramids FC at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.
The hosts had made a dream start when Stephen Manyo fired them ahead in the 33rd minute with a low strike from outside the box. However, Pyramids emerged a different side after the break and quickly turned the match on its head. Mostafa Fathi levelled matters early in the second half before Marwan Hamdi converted from the penalty spot following a handball in the box.
As Rivers United pushed for an equaliser, gaps began to appear at the back. Odeh Al-Fakhouri capitalised with a clinical finish in the 88th minute, and Nasser Maher added gloss to the scoreline in stoppage time to complete a dominant Egyptian display. The defeat leaves Rivers United facing an uphill task heading into the final round of fixtures.
In Group C, Saint Eloi Lupopo and Mamelodi Sundowns played out a tense 1-1 draw at the Stade du TP Mazembe.
Lupopo struck first in the 19th minute through Henoc Molia, who reacted quickest inside the box to put the hosts in front. Sundowns dominated possession for long spells and were rewarded in the 55th minute when Jayden Adams rose highest to head home from a corner.
The South African champions pressed for a winner late on, hitting the post and forcing several nervy moments in the Lupopo defence, but the hosts held firm to earn a valuable point that keeps their qualification hopes alive.
Meanwhile in Group D, Stade Malien recorded one of the standout results of the round by edging Esperance 1-0 at Stade 26 Mars.
After a tightly contested first half, the breakthrough arrived in the 54th minute when Daouda Coulibaly finished from close range following sustained pressure. Esperance pushed hard for an equaliser, peppering the Stade Malien box with crosses and long-range efforts, but the home side defended resolutely to secure all three points.
The result blows Group D wide open, with Stade Malien boosting their chances of progressing while Esperance are left needing a strong finish in the final round.
With one matchday remaining, qualification battles across the CAF Champions League remain finely poised, promising more drama as Africa’s elite clubs chase continental glory.
