Three elite football clubs have officially confirmed their progression to the CAF Champions League knockout stages as the 2025/26 group phase enters its penultimate phase. Following the conclusion of match-day five fixtures this past Sunday, the tournament bracket began to take shape with several heavyweights securing early qualification. Pyramids FC, Al Ahly, and Stade Malien have all mathematically guaranteed their spots in the final eight with one round of matches still to play.
Pyramids currently dominate Group A, amassing 13 points through an impressive run of four victories and one draw. The Egyptian side remains unbeaten in the competition and maintains a commanding lead at the top of the standings. They will look to conclude their group-stage campaign on a high note in their final fixture scheduled for the coming days.
Defending champions Al Ahly also secured their path to the quarter-finals by reaching the nine-point threshold in Group B. A hard-fought scoreless draw against JS Kabylie on Saturday provided the necessary point to confirm their advancement. The Cairo giants now prepare for their final group encounter with the pressure of qualification already lifted.
In Group D, Stade Malien made history by booking their place in the next round following a decisive 1-0 victory over Tunisian giants Espérance Tunis on Sunday. This win propelled the Malian outfit to 11 points, ensuring they finish at the summit of their group regardless of the final match-day results. Their consistent performance throughout the group stage has established them as a formidable contender for the continental crown.
The remaining five spots in the quarter-final lineup remain vacant, setting the stage for a dramatic final round of fixtures. Several clubs across the four groups still harbor hopes of joining these three confirmed qualifiers as the competition intensifies. Fans across the continent now await the final group-stage standings to determine the full knockout phase bracket.
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