…As Remo draws US Zilimadjou in CAF CL
North African clubs have again dominated the Confederation of African Football (CAF ) latest clubs’ rankings for 2025.
Al Ahly of Egypt emerged most ranked team in the CAF Clubs’ Ranking for 2025, maintaining their number one position after the latest list was released on Friday, ahead of the Preliminary stage draws for the 2025/26 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup seasons.
The 2025/26 draws for the two CAF Interclub competitions were held on Saturday in Dar es Salaam, with the rankings used to assign teams to pots.
The journey to glory will begin with the Preliminary Round, played over two legs on the weekends of 19–21 September and 26–28 September 2025.
Victors will advance to the Second Preliminary Round on 17–19 October, with the return legs a week later from 24–26 October.
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Remo Stars, Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) champions, was drawn against US Zilimadjou, champions of the Comoros Premier League, in the first preliminary round of the CAF Champions League.
Rivers United, another Nigerian representative, will face a top-ranked club from the Democratic Republic of Congo in the preliminary round.
In the CAF Confederations Cup draw, Kwara United will face Asante Kotoko of Ghana, while Abia Warriors will battle Djoliba AC of Mali.
Nigerian teams were handed tough ties in the draws for the preliminary rounds of the CAF Champions League and the Confederations Cup.
However, the 2025 CAF Clubs’ Rankings offer a snapshot of African club football’s current power balance, with a mix of continental heavyweights and rising forces from across the continent.
Al Ahly retain their place at the summit with 78 points, underlining their status as Africa’s most successful club in both history and recent performance, having lifted the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League trophy in four of the last six seasons.
They are followed by South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns (62 points), who have become a dominant force in Southern Africa and perennial challengers for continental glory.
Tunisia’s Espérance Sportive de Tunis (57) sits third, maintaining North Africa’s long-standing influence in the CAF competitions.
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The top five is rounded out by Morocco’s RS Berkane (52), who lifted the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup last season, and the team they beat in the final, Simba SC of Tanzania (48), the highest-ranked East African club.
Egypt’s influence is further emphasised by TotalEnergies CAF Champions League holders Pyramids FC (6th, 47 points) and Zamalek SC (7th, 42), while Morocco also boasts Wydad AC (8th, 39) and Raja CA (joint 15th, 30) inside the top tier.
Algeria’s USM Alger (9th, 37) and CR Belouizdad (10th, 36) lead the charge for their country.
Some clubs have shown good progress in recent years to rise up the rankings. Stellenbosch FC (South Africa) sit joint 21st with 15 points despite limited continental history, while Dreams FC (Ghana) are 26th after a strong recent run.
