CAF Champions League - Past Winners, History and Cultural Influence

John Eastwood

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Last updated: 27 Apr 2025

John Eastwood 27 Apr 2025

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CAF Champions League began in 1964 as African Cup of Champions Clubs.
Dominated by Al Ahly with a record 12 titles, including 2024 edition.
Mamelodi Sundowns and Pyramids FC set to contest 2025 final.

Wydad Casablanca celebrating winning the 2017 CAF Champions League (Getty Images).

The CAF Champions League was established in 1964 and was originally known as the African Cup of Champions Clubs. It is Africa's premier club football competition and is organize by CAF (the Confederation of African Football).
Historical Context
Importance to African Football
Past Winners List Since 2005
Summary

The competition was rebranded in 1997 and the winners qualify for the FIFA Club World Cup.

The format follows qualifying rounds, a round-robin group stage and the knockout stages. The quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final are all played over two legs and the away goals rule remains in place.

Historical Context

The dominant club in the CAF Champions League is Egypt's Al Ahly. The Red Devils have won a record 12 titles, including the 2024 Edition.

Moroccan clubs like Raja Casablanca and Wydad AC have also made a significant impact, each securing multiple titles. Other nations, such as Tunisia, Algeria and South Africa, have contributed to the tournament's rich history with their clubs' successes. From the latter nation, both Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates have lifted the title just once.

Importance to African Football

The CAF Champions League holds immense significance in African football for several reasons:

Platform for Talent Exposure: The tournament provides a stage for African players to showcase their skills, attracting scouts and clubs from around the world. One such players is Noureddine Naybet. He is perhaps best known for his exploits in Spain, where he won a LaLiga title with Deportivo La Coruna. Before leaving for Europe, he spent four seasons playing for Wydad AC where he helped the lub to its first-ever CAF Champions League title in 1992.

Boost to Domestic Leagues: Success in the Champions League elevates the profile of domestic leagues, attracting sponsorships and increasing viewership. The prize money of offer is significant for the winners.

Cultural Impact: The competition fosters regional rivalries and national pride. A heated rivalry exists between Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly for example and South African coach Pitso Mosimane won the CAF Champions League with boh clubs.

Economic Benefits: Clubs that perform well gain financial rewards, which can be reinvested into their infrastructure and development programs. Perhaps the most lucrative financial benefits come from participating in the FIFA Club World Cup.

Past Winners List Since 2005

Year	Winner	Runner-up	Aggregate Score
2005	Al Ahly	Etoile du Sahel	3–0
2006	Al Ahly	Club Africain	4–0
2007	Al Ahly	Coton Sport	4–2
2008	Al Ahly	Coton Sport	4–2
2009	TP Mazembe	Heartland	6–1
2010	TP Mazembe	Heartland	6–1
2011	Esperance	Wydad Casablanca	1–0
2012	Al Ahly	Esperance	3–2
2013	Al Ahly	Orlando Pirates	3–1
2014	Al Ahly	Orlando Pirates	3–1
2015	TP Mazembe	USM Alger	4–1
2016	Mamelodi Sundowns	Zamalek	3–1
2017	Wydad Casablanca	Al Ahly	2–1
2018	Espérance Tunis	Al Ahly	3–0
2019	Espérance Tunis	Wydad Casablanca	1–0
2020	Al Ahly	Zamalek	2–1
2021	Al Ahly	Kaizer Chiefs	3–0
2022	Wydad Casablanca	Al Ahly	2–0
2023	Al Ahly	Wydad Casablanca	3–2
2024	Al Ahly	Espérance Tunis	1–0
2025	Final: Mamelodi Sundowns vs Pyramids FC		TBC

Summary

In summary, the CAF Champions League is more than just a football tournament; it's a catalyst for the growth and development of African football, influencing various facets of the sport across the continent. The North African clubs have tended to dominate all over the year.