The CAF Champions League is Africa's premier club competition, the continental equivalent of the UEFA Champions League. Its winner is crowned club champion of Africa.
History
The competition began in 1964 as the African Cup of Champions Clubs and was rebranded as the CAF Champions League in 1997, when a group stage and prize money were introduced. Cameroon's Oryx Douala won the first edition.
Who qualifies
Each CAF member association can enter its league champion. The strongest leagues, ranked by their clubs' results over the previous five seasons, can enter a second team. That is why countries such as Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria and South Africa often have two clubs in the competition.
Format
In recent seasons the competition has started with two preliminary rounds played home and away. The winners reach a group stage of 16 teams in four groups. The top two in each group go into two-legged quarter-finals and semi-finals, followed by the final. Clubs knocked out in the second preliminary round drop into the Confederation Cup. CAF adjusts the format from time to time, so always check the current season's regulations.
The most successful clubs
Al Ahly of Egypt are the competition's most successful club by a distance. Their Cairo rivals Zamalek, TP Mazembe of DR Congo, Espérance of Tunisia, and Morocco's Wydad and Raja Casablanca also have multiple titles. Clubs from West Africa, such as Enyimba of Nigeria (back-to-back winners in 2003 and 2004), Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko of Ghana, have also lifted the trophy. Read about Africa's biggest clubs.
What is at stake
The winner earns prize money, a place in FIFA's Club World Cup competitions and a CAF Super Cup match against the Confederation Cup winner. Recent Champions League winners qualified for the expanded 32-team FIFA Club World Cup held in 2025.
Why it matters for players
For players in African leagues, a good Champions League run is the best shop window for a move abroad. Many players who later joined European clubs first caught scouts' attention in this competition. Follow their moves on our transfers page.