Four Coaches, One Continent: CAF Champions League Group Stage Starts with Tactical Fireworks
18 November 2025
Four coaches named by CAF to shape the group stage
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has released a concise shortlist of four coaches whose tactical prowess could prove decisive in the start of the CAF Champions League group phase, kicking off this Friday.
CAF notes that the group stage will place immense strategic pressure on managers who must translate preparation into results across Africa’s elite clubs.
The four coaches highlighted are Moien El-Shabani (Tunisia), Krunoslav Jurcic (Croatia), Miguel Cardoso (Portugal), and Rolani Mokwena (South Africa). El-Shabani steers RS Berkane and is praised for his disciplined, high-press approach; Jurcic currently leads Pyramids FC with a reputation for adaptability and effective game management; Cardoso brings European experience to Sundowns, aiming to reclaim continental glory; Mokwena, a rising star, runs Mouloudia Alger with clear vision and a strong focus on developing players and a winning mindset.
CAF emphasizes that these coaches’ recent track records—especially in knockout stages—underscore their ability to shape group-stage outcomes and flip tactical switches when pressure mounts.
As kick-off approaches, the group-stage map features Pyramids as defending champions, alongside Al Ahly’s historic bid for more glory, Tunisia’s big names, and Sundowns as a constant threat to the continent’s elite clubs. The stage is set for a week of high‑level football across Africa.
Group-stage kickoff details
With the competition returning to the fore, CAF’s framing of the coaches adds to the narrative: the coaches’ tactical profiles are expected to impact how teams approach every match, from formation choices to in-game adjustments.
In parallel, the Confederation Cup picture remains competitive, with storied clubs like Zamalek and USM Alger, plus others such as Wydad, CR Belouzdad, Kaizer Chiefs, Stellenbosch, Azam, Zesco United, Nairobi City Stars, Joliba Mali, and more, all preparing for rounds that could redefine Africa’s mid-tier club landscape.
First-round fixtures promise gripping journeys: Cairo hosts the opener with a clash featuring a top Egyptian side and a formidable North African outfit, while other ties on the weekend pit traditional rivals, regional powerhouses, and rising teams against each other. The CAF calendar also sketches a broader evolution of teams challenging current giants and building a continental resume capable of turning tides in future seasons.
Group-by-group snapshot
Friday marks the start, with Pyramids and a slate of heavyweights aiming to lay down early markers. The weekend schedule then continues with a blend of African powerhouses and ambitious clubs eager to etch their name into the continent’s club lore. CAF’s note on the four coaches signals a potential shift in group dynamics, as each manager’s approach could tilt matches in unexpected directions.
In short, the opening phase looks set to deliver strategic intrigue, tactical depth, and football drama across venues from Casablanca to Cairo, with fans hoping for memorable moments that will echo through the season.
And now, a couple of light lines to close out the day: Four coaches walk into a group stage, and the ball immediately files a complaint for excessive planning. If football were a sniper’s sport, these four would take the shot with laser-precision—and somehow still blame the weather if the GPS disagrees with the ref. Punchlines aside, let the games begin and may the best game plan prevail.
