Out of eleven participations in the African Champions League, AS FAR has only been crowned African champion once (1985) and has very rarely progressed beyond the group stages. The military club, the first North African team to win the continental title, this time managed to change the situation for this season, by qualifying thanks to the draw (1-1) against Raja on January 11.
The R’batis, determined to establish themselves as favorites this year, managed to dominate the top of the group B ranking with 10 points (2 wins and 4 draws). At the end of a close match against the South Africans in Pretoria, the Military snatched a draw in the last minutes of the match, thanks to a strike from Amine Zouhzouh (1-1).
For the quarter-finals, the FAR expect formidable opponents and the best teams on the continent. Although CAF has still not given an official date for the draws, the Military will have to prepare mentally and tactically in order to continue the continental adventure, whatever the opponent.
As a reminder, the first in the standings in the group stage will face the second from the other groups, with a considerable advantage: the quarter-final return will be played at home.
The big piece: Al Ahly
Al Ahly, a veritable war machine in the Champions League, is the most successful club in the continent’s best competition. With 12 crowns, the reigning Egyptian club is undoubtedly the beast of the competition. Despite three victories, a draw and two defeats in the group, Al Ahly will certainly want to keep its status as the most successful club and gain strength as the elimination phases approach.
Watch out for Pyramids FC!
-The other Egyptian team to watch closely is Pyramids FC. Although the team only made its debut in the African Champions League in the 2023-2024 season, teammates Mohamed Chibi and Walid El Karti still finished second in Group D with 13 points, counting four victories over the six matches played in the group stage for this edition.
The Mouloudia of Algiers: not to be underestimated
Like the FAR, the Algerians of Mouloudia have also been crowned African champions only once (1976). With two matches won, three draws and one defeat, MCA managed to secure its qualification by solidifying its defense against the Tanzanians Young Africans, ending the match with a score of 0-0 on Saturday January 18.
Par Magda Soltani
01/20/2025 at 3:49 p.m.
