Group A
Mamelodi Sundowns
Pyramids
TP Mazembe
Nouadhibou
A very mixed group in terms of experience as TP Mazembe have won the competition 5 times with Mamelodi Sundowns, the winners of the 2016 edition and the champions of the maiden edition of the African Football League, are paired with the debutants Pyramids and Nouadhibou.
TP Mazembe, having missed the last two editions qualified for the money zone by eliminating Nyasa Big Bullets. The Lubumbashi-based club is managed by the experienced Senegalese gaffer, Lamine Ndiaye. The Baba Boys will make their 13th appearance in the money zone making them one of the most experienced teams in the competition.
The champions of the maiden edition of the African Super League have become a team that is very difficult to beat recently. The Bafana ba Style is now fearless of every opponent on the continent as they proved against Al Ahly and Wydad Athletic in the AFL. Rulani Mokwena promises the Brazilians more continental accomplishments after winning the AFL. They are one of the favourites to lift the trophy with Peter Shalilule leading their attack once again.
Pyramids are debutants and have little experience on the continent. A team established in 2008 and has just played one final in any CAF-organised club competition. Pyramids lost the Confederation Cup finals in the 2019-2020 season against RS Berkane on penalties.
Portuguese coach, Jaime Pacheco, 65, knows the task ahead as playing against TP Mazembe and Mamelodi Sundowns will be extremely difficult.
Another debutant, Nouadhibou, the least-ranked team in the group has a huge task ahead as they face some of the elite clubs in the continent with zero experience. The only experience they have on the continent in club football was the group stage appearance they made in the 2019-2020 CAF Confederation Cup season.
The Mauritanian club has already punched above their weight by qualifying for the money zone. Mauritanian Football has seen an incredible rise as the national team has qualified for their third successive AFCON.
Teams to qualify
Mamelodi Sundowns and Pyramids