The CAF Champions League kicked off its group stage with a thrilling set of matches, and Al Ahly stole the spotlight with a convincing 4–1 victory over JS Kabylie in Cairo. The Egyptian giants showed why they are among the favorites for the title, while elsewhere Mamelodi Sundowns and Young Africans also registered strong opening wins.

Al Ahly Showcase Their Power in Cairo

Al Ahly started the match with control and precision, taking advantage of their dominance to strike a decisive double blow before halftime. Trezeguet opened the scoring in the 36th minute after a sharp pass from Zizo, and just three minutes later Mohamed Sherif doubled the lead following excellent work from Achraf Bencharki.

Although Kabylie pulled one back early in the second half with an unfortunate own goal by El Shenawy, the visitors’ momentum was short-lived. The Egyptians soon reasserted control, sealing the win late: Trezeguet struck again in the 84th minute, and deep into stoppage time Mohamed Hadid turned the ball into his own net for a final 4–1 scoreline.

With this statement victory, Al Ahly make it clear they are determined to be a major force in this year’s tournament.

Sundowns and Yanga Begin Their Campaigns Strongly

In Pretoria, Mamelodi Sundowns lived up to their Group C favorites tag with a 3–1 win over St. Éloi Lupopo. Nuno Santos shone with a brace, while Marcelo Allende added another with a composed finish.

The South African side had to recover after an equalizer from Wanet Kashala, but dominated the second half with superior rhythm and depth. Yellow cards for Aubrey Modiba and Kashala highlighted the intensity of the matchup.

Meanwhile in Dar es Salaam, Young Africans edged FAR Rabat 1–0 in a tight Group B contest. Prince Dube scored the decisive goal in the 58th minute, securing a crucial win for the Tanzanian champions under the guidance of coach Pedro Gonçalves.

Esperance the Only Giant That Fell Short

In Tunis, Espérance were held to a 0–0 draw by Stade Malien, despite long spells of possession and waves of second-half pressure. The Malian side defended with discipline, made key substitutions and survived several late pushes, while bookings for Jelassi and Bode reflected growing frustration among the Tunisian hosts.

With these results, Al Ahly emerge as one of the early teams to watch, while Espérance face immediate pressure in a competitive group.