‘CAFCL Remains No. 1 Even Without Sundowns…

Former Tunisia coach Nabil Maaloul has backed the CAF Champions League to maintain its prestige despite the absence of some big clubs. (Photo: Gallo)

The CAF Champions League has been backed to maintain its level of prominence this campaign, despite the absence of bigger sides like Al Ahly, Mamelodi Sundowns, Wydad Athletic Club and co.

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Shift in Continental Football

The CAF Champions League could perhaps be experiencing a seismic shift, with several of African football’s standard-bearers absent from the premier group stage competition.

The continental giants missing out on the elite stage include Al Ahly, who are instead competing in the CAF Confederation Cup group stage.

Sundowns suffered a shock early elimination during the second preliminary round, exiting on away goals after drawing 1-1 on aggregate against Angolan outfit Wiliete SC, while Wydad failed to secure qualification for Africa’s flagship club tournament following domestic and qualifying setbacks.

Additionally, five-time champions TP Mazembe were eliminated by Club Africain, while Ivorian powerhouses ASEC Mimosas fell short following a 3-2 aggregate loss to Maghreb AS de Fes.

Confederation Cup Set for Unprecedented Spotlight

Addressing the influx of heavyweights into Africa’s secondary club competition, former Tunisia head coach Nabil Maaloul highlighted how the tournament’s stature has drastically soared, suggesting that the second-tier event could rival the Champions League in intensity this season.

“This season’s Confederation Cup will have more followers because of the participation of big teams that used to play in the African Champions League,” he said, per Pan Africa Football.

“There are big teams in the Confederation such as Al-Ahly, CR Belouizdad, USM Alger, Al-Ahly Tripoli, CS Sfaxien and FAR Rabat. The competition will be very fierce, and it is possible that the Confederation matches will be stronger than the African Champions League matches,” Maaloul added.

Champions League Prestige Remains Unmatched

Despite the star-studded lineup assembling in the Confederation Cup, the Tunisian insisted that the Champions League retains its crown as the pinnacle of African club football.

“The African Champions League is the highest and strongest tournament technically and physically, even in the absence of big teams like Al-Ahly, Sundowns and Wydad, but it remains in first place at all levels,” he stated.

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