CAF Champions League – Africa's premier club football tournament
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African football is set for a revamp in the coming years. Reports this week stated an African Football Super League featuring 24 of the continent’s biggest clubs will start soon.
The Super League would be akin to the one proposed for European football. If it gets off the ground, the African Super League could put the CAF Champions League tournament to bed at some point.
The Champions League is set to remain but with an altered format. It would be a shame, as the CAF Champions League is the premier club football tournament on the continent.
CAF Champions League history
Originally known as the African Cup of Champions Clubs, the tournament started in 1964. Its creation came just nine years after the first UEFA European Cup. African football wasn’t far behind its European rivals, with their version of the same event.
The tournament went unchanged for much of its life until 1997. The competition was renamed the CAF Champions League following influence from UEFA’s version of the event. Group stages were introduced along with prize money for teams.
CAF continued to alter the tournament over the next few years to more closely resemble the European Champions League. With the new Super League starting next season, the Champions League is likely to be a straight-up knockout tournament.
CAF Champions League most successful clubs
Since its creation, the CAF Champions League has been dominated by clubs from North Africa. Egyptian teams have played especially well in the competition.
Eygpt’s Al Ahly and Zamalek have won 15 titles between them. The Egyptian rivals have appeared in a combined 23 Champions League finals.
DR Congo’s TP Mazembe surprisingly has five titles. It is surprising considering DR Congo’s status as a football nation in Africa. Somewhat surprisingly, only two South African teams have lifted the trophy.
Recent winners
Al Ahly are the most successful club in CAF Champions League history. They won 10 trophies and appeared in the final 15 times.
The 2023 final will feature Al Ahly once more, as they play Morocco’s Wydad AC. It is the second consecutive season that the two teams have met in the Champions League final. It will also be the fourth straight final featuring Al Ahly.
The Egyptians are aiming for an 11th title this weekend.
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