Round 5 Results: Key Victories Shape CAF Champions League Quarter-final Picture

The TotalEnergies CAF Champions League 2024/25 group stage had more exciting games this weekend.

Orlando Pirates confirmed their place in the quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Chabab Belouizdad in Johannesburg on Sunday.

The South Africans started with intent, and in the 20th minute, Relebohile Mofokeng reacted quickest to a rebound, scoring the opening goal after the Belouizdad goalkeeper saved an initial effort. The Pirates extended their lead in the 61st minute with a stunning long-range strike from Thalente Mbatha, which crashed into the net off the crossbar, leaving the keeper with no chance.

Abdelraouf Benguit pulled one back in stoppage time, but it was too little, too late for Belouizdad's tardy response. The result meant Belouizdad’s hopes of advancing ended, while Orlando Pirates secured top spot in the group with 11 points, with Al Ahly following closely behind on 10 points.

In Group A, Young Africans maintained their hopes of making it to the quarterfinals with a decisive 1-0 victory over Al Hilal Omdurman. The Tanzanians defended resolutely to hold onto the lead, and even though they dominated possession, they were unable to penetrate Young Africans' defense. The victory puts Young Africans at 7 points and sets up a must-win matchup with MC Alger in the final group match. Stephane Aziz Ki's early goal in the eighth minute was all the Tanzanians needed.

Al Hilal, despite the defeat, remain top of Group A with 10 points, but their unbeaten run in the competition came to an end.

Here are the main results from Matchday 5:

• Friday, 10 January 2025

Group A:

MC Alger 1-0 TP Mazembe, played at Stade du 5 Juillet 1962 in Algiers.

• Saturday, 11 January 2025

Group B:

Maniema 1-2 Mamelodi Sundowns, played at Maniema Stadium in Kindu.

Group D:

Sagrada Esperança 0-1 Pyramids, played at Estádio 11 de Novembro in Luanda.

Group C:

Stade d’Abidjan 1-3 Al Ahly, played at Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan.

Group B:

FAR Rabat 1-1 Raja Casablanca, played at Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat.

• Sunday, 12 January 2025

Group C:

Orlando Pirates 2-1 CR Belouizdad, played at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg.

Group D:

Djoliba 0-1 Esperance, played at Stade 26 Mars in Bamako.

Group A:

Al Hilal Omdurman 0-1 Young Africans, played at Stade de la Capitale in Nouakchott.