The CAF Confederation Cup 2025/26 group stage reaches a thrilling finale this weekend, with four of the eight quarter-final places still to be decided as the final round of matches promises high drama and intrigue across the continent.
With final group placings determined by head-to-head results in the first instance, every goal could shape who advances, and who earns the advantage of being seeded for the last-eight draw.
The top two teams in each pool move on to the quarter-final stage.
Group A has already confirmed its two qualifiers, but the battle for top spot remains a prestige prize. USM Alger lead the way on 13 points (+5 goal difference) and host Morocco’s Olympic Safi, who sit a point back on 12 (+3).
A draw in Algiers on Saturday will be enough for the Algerians to finish first and secure a seeded position, while Safi know only victory will flip the order.
In Group B, three-time champions Wydad Casablanca top the pool on 12 points (+5) and host Tanzania’s Azam (9, +0) knowing a single point will secure first place, but the permutations are more complex than they first appear.
DR Congo’s Maniema Union also sit on nine points (+2) and are expected to target maximum points against already eliminated Nairobi United (0, -7) in Lubumbashi.
If Azam win in Casablanca and Maniema do the job, then three teams finish locked on 12 points, with the head-to-head mini-league between those sides deciding the top two.
Group C has its qualifiers confirmed, but the order is still up for grabs. CR Belouizdad lead on 12 points (+5) and host AS Otoho (9, +5) in Algiers on Sunday, with a draw enough for the Algerians to stay top. Otoho, however, have already shown they can hurt Belouizdad, they won 4-1 in the reverse fixture, and any victory this time would be enough to take first place.
Stellenbosch FC and Tanzania’s Singida Black Stars are playing for pride and to avoid bottom spot.
All eyes, though, will be on Group D, where Kaizer Chiefs lead on 10 points (+2) but face a daunting away test at Egyptian giants Zamalek, who sit on eight (+1).
A point would send AmaKhosi through and lock up top spot, yet Zamalek are fighting for survival and will know that anything less than victory could leave them ousted from the competition.
Al Masry (7, +0) are poised to capitalise at home against already eliminated ZESCO United (3, -3), and if Chiefs lose while Masry win, then Zamalek go top and Chiefs and Masry are level on 10 points.
With the head-to-head between Chiefs and Masry level after 2-1 home wins for each, goal difference, and potentially goals scored, comes into play, with Chiefs currently +2 (six scored) and Masry +0 (seven scored).
In some scenarios, even those measures can be tied, bringing away goals across all group matches into the equation, and if that cannot separate them, the final step is the drawing of lots for a quarter-final place.
Matchday 6 Fixtures (All times in GMT):
Saturday, 14 February
16:00 – Zamalek (EGY) vs Kaizer Chiefs (RSA)
16:00 – Al Masry (EGY) vs ZESCO United (ZAM)
19:00 – USM Alger (ALG) vs Olympic Safi (MAR)
Sunday, 15 February
14:00 – Maniema Union (DRC) vs Nairobi United (KEN)
14:00 – Wydad Casablanca (MAR) vs Azam (TAN)
16:00 – CR Belouizdad (ALG) vs AS Otoho (CGO)
16:00 – Djoliba (MLI) vs San Pedro (CIV)
16:00 – Stellenbosch FC (RSA) vs Singida Black Stars (TAN)
For more on the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup, visit www.cafonline.com.
