The 2020–21 CAF Champions League (officially the 2020–21 Total CAF Champions League for sponsorship reasons)[1] was the 57th edition of Africa's premier club football tournament organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), and the 25th edition under the current CAF Champions League title.
Al Ahly successfully defended their title and defeated Kaizer Chiefs 3–0 in the final, which was played at Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca, Morocco, winning their record-extending tenth and second consecutive title.
As the winners of the 2020–21 CAF Champions League, Al Ahly represented Africa in both the 2021 and 2025 FIFA Club World Cups, and played against Raja Casablanca, the winners of the 2020–21 CAF Confederation Cup, in the 2021–22 CAF Super Cup.[2]
All 56 CAF member associations may enter the CAF Champions League, with the 12 highest ranked associations according to their CAF 5-year ranking eligible to enter two teams in the competition.[2] As a result, theoretically a maximum of 68 teams could enter the tournament – although this level has never been reached.
For the 2020–21 CAF Champions League, the CAF uses the 2016–2020 CAF 5-year ranking, which calculates points for each entrant association based on their clubs’ performance over those 5 years in the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup. The criteria for points are the following:[3][4][5]
More information CAF Champions League, CAF Confederation Cup ...
|
CAF Champions League |
CAF Confederation Cup |
| Winners |
6 points |
5 points |
| Runners-up |
5 points |
4 points |
| Losing semi-finalists |
4 points |
3 points |
| Losing quarter-finalists (from 2017) |
3 points |
2 points |
| 3rd place in groups |
2 points |
1 point |
| 4th place in groups |
1 point |
0.5 point |
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The points are multiplied by a coefficient according to the year as follows:
- 2019–20: × 5
- 2018–19: × 4
- 2018: × 3
- 2017: × 2
- 2016: × 1
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, associations may abandon their domestic competitions and select the representatives in CAF club competitions.[6] Associations may register their representatives during the engagement window between 1 September and 20 October 2020. All engaged teams must respect the Club Licensing procedure and cooperate with their respective Associations, as non-licensed clubs would be refused participation.[7]
The following 54 teams from 42 associations entered the competition.
Associations are shown according to their 2016–2020 CAF 5-year ranking – those with a ranking score have their rank and score (in parentheses) indicated.
More information Association, Rank (Pts) ...
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More information Association, Rank (Pts) ...
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- Associations which did not enter a team
- Notes
- ^
Algeria (ALG): The
2019–20 Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1 was abandoned by the
Algerian Football Federation due to the
COVID-19 pandemic in Algeria.
CR Belouizdad, who were at first place at the time of abandonment (table considered final) and declared champions, and
MC Alger, who were at second place (by points per game), will represent Algeria in the 2020–21 CAF Champions League.
[8]
- ^
Angola (ANG): The
2019–20 Girabola was abandoned (season cancelled, title not awarded) by the
Angolan Football Federation due to the
COVID-19 pandemic in Angola.
Petro de Luanda and
1º de Agosto, who were at first and second place at the time of abandonment, will represent Angola in the 2020–21 CAF Champions League.
[9]
- ^
Benin (BEN): The
2019–20 Benin Premier League was abandoned (season cancelled, title not awarded) by the
Benin Football Federation due to the
COVID-19 pandemic in Benin.
Buffles du Borgou, who were the
2018–19 Benin Premier League champions, will represent Benin in the 2020–21 CAF Champions League.
[10]
- ^
Botswana (BOT): The
2019–20 Botswana Premier League was abandoned by the
Botswana Football Association due to the
COVID-19 pandemic in Botswana.
Jwaneng Galaxy, who were at first place at the time of abandonment (table considered final) and declared champions, will represent Botswana in the 2020–21 CAF Champions League.
[11]
- ^
Burkina Faso (BFA): The
2019–20 Burkinabé Premier League was abandoned (season cancelled, title not awarded) by the
Burkinabé Football Federation due to the
COVID-19 pandemic in Burkina Faso.
Rahimo, who were the
2018–19 Burkinabé Premier League champions, will represent Burkina Faso in the 2020–21 CAF Champions League.
[12]
- ^
Cameroon (CMR): The
2019–20 Elite One was abandoned by the
Cameroonian Football Federation due to the
COVID-19 pandemic in Cameroon.
PWD Bamenda, who were at first place at the time of abandonment (table considered final) and declared champions, will represent Cameroon in the 2020–21 CAF Champions League.
[13]
- ^
Cape Verde (CPV): The
2020 Cape Verdean Football Championships was abandoned (season cancelled, title not awarded) by the
Cape Verdean Football Federation due to the
COVID-19 pandemic in Cape Verde. No team will represent Cape Verde in the 2020–21 CAF Champions League.
[14]
- ^
Central African Republic (CTA): The
2019–20 Central African Republic League was abandoned (season cancelled, title not awarded) by the
Central African Football Federation due to the
COVID-19 pandemic in the Central African Republic. No team will represent the Central African Republic in the 2020–21 CAF Champions League.
[15]
- ^
Congo (CGO): The
2019–20 Congo Ligue 1 was abandoned by the
Congolese Football Federation due to the
COVID-19 pandemic in Congo.
AS Otohô, who were at first place at the time of abandonment (table considered final) and declared champions (they were already assured of the title by then), will represent Congo in the 2020–21 CAF Champions League.
[16]
- ^
DR Congo (COD): The
2019–20 Linafoot was abandoned by the
Congolese Association Football Federation due to the
COVID-19 pandemic in DR Congo.
TP Mazembe, who were at first place at the time of abandonment (table considered final) and declared champions, and
AS Vita Club, who were at second place, will represent DR Congo in the 2020–21 CAF Champions League.
[17]
- ^
Equatorial Guinea (EQG): The
2019–20 Equatoguinean Primera División was abandoned (season cancelled, title not awarded) by the
Equatoguinean Football Federation due to the
COVID-19 pandemic in Equatorial Guinea.
Akonangui, who were at Región Continental first place (better ranked first place between two regions) at the time of abandonment, will represent Equatorial Guinea in the 2020–21 CAF Champions League.
[18]
- ^
Eswatini (SWZ): The
2019–20 Eswatini Premier League was abandoned by the
Eswatini Football Association due to the
COVID-19 pandemic in Eswatini.
Young Buffaloes, who were at first place at the time of abandonment (table considered final) and declared champions, will represent Eswatini in the 2020–21 CAF Champions League.
[19]
- ^
Ethiopia (ETH): The
2019–20 Ethiopian Premier League was abandoned (season cancelled, title not awarded) by the
Ethiopian Football Federation due to the
COVID-19 pandemic in Ethiopia.
Mekelle 70 Enderta, who were the
2018–19 Ethiopian Premier League champions, will represent Ethiopia in the 2020–21 CAF Champions League.
[20]
- ^
Gabon (GAB): The
2019–20 Gabon Championnat National D1 was abandoned (season cancelled, title not awarded) by the
Gabonese Football Federation due to the
COVID-19 pandemic in Gabon.
AS Bouenguidi, who were at Group A first place (better ranked first place between two groups) at the time of abandonment, will represent Gabon in the 2020–21 CAF Champions League.
[21]
- ^
Gambia (GAM): The
2019–20 GFA League First Division was abandoned (season cancelled, title not awarded) by the
Gambia Football Federation due to the
COVID-19 pandemic in the Gambia.
Gambia Armed Forces, who were at second place at the time of abandonment, will represent Gambia in the 2020–21 CAF Champions League, since
Real de Banjul, who were at first place at the time of abandonment, declined to enter.
[22]
- ^
Ghana (GHA): The
2019–20 Ghana Premier League was abandoned (season cancelled, title not awarded) by the
Ghana Football Association due to the
COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana.
Asante Kotoko, who were the
2019 GFA Normalization Committee Special Competition Tier 1 winners, will represent Ghana in the 2020–21 CAF Champions League.
[23]
- ^
Guinea (GUI): The
2019–20 Guinée Championnat National was abandoned (season cancelled, title not awarded) by the
Guinean Football Federation due to the
COVID-19 pandemic in Guinea.
Horoya and
Ashanti de Siguiri, who were at first and second place after 13 rounds (last completed round at the time of abandonment), will represent Guinea in the 2020–21 CAF Champions League.
[24]
- ^
Ivory Coast (CIV): The
2019–20 Côte d'Ivoire Ligue 1 was abandoned by the
Ivorian Football Federation due to the
COVID-19 pandemic in Ivory Coast.
Racing Club Abidjan, who were at first place at the time of abandonment (table considered final) and declared champions, will represent Ivory Coast in the 2020–21 CAF Champions League.
[25]
- ^
Kenya (KEN): The
2019–20 Kenyan Premier League was abandoned by the
Football Kenya Federation due to the
COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya.
Gor Mahia, who were at first place at the time of abandonment (table considered final) and declared champions, will represent Kenya in the 2020–21 CAF Champions League.
[26]
- ^
Lesotho (LES): The
2019–20 Lesotho Premier League was abandoned by the
Lesotho Football Association due to the
COVID-19 pandemic in Lesotho.
Bantu, who were at first place at the time of abandonment (table considered final) and declared champions, will represent Lesotho in the 2020–21 CAF Champions League.
[27]
- ^
Liberia (LBR): The
2019–20 Liberian First Division League was abandoned (season cancelled, title not awarded) by the
Liberia Football Association due to the
COVID-19 pandemic in Liberia. No team will represent Liberia in the 2020–21 CAF Champions League.
[28]
- ^
Libya (LBY): Al Nasr, the
2017–18 Libyan Premier League champions, and
Al Ahly Benghazi, the runners-up, will represent Libya in the 2020–21 CAF Champions League, since the
Libyan Premier League and
Libyan Cup had been suspended by the
Libyan Football Federation for two consecutive years due to the
Libyan Civil War.
[29]
- ^
Madagascar (MAD): The
2019–20 Malagasy Pro League was abandoned (season cancelled, title not awarded) by the
Malagasy Football Federation due to the
COVID-19 pandemic in Madagascar. No team will represent Madagascar in the 2020–21 CAF Champions League, since
Fosa Juniors, who were the
2019 THB Champions League champions, declined to enter.
[30]
- ^
Malawi (MWI): No team will represent Malawi in the 2020–21 CAF Champions League, since
Nyasa Big Bullets, who were the
2019 Super League of Malawi champions, declined to enter.
[31]
- ^
Mauritius (MRI): The
2019–20 Mauritian Premier League was abandoned (season cancelled, title not awarded) by the
Mauritius Football Association due to the
COVID-19 pandemic in Mauritius. No team will represent Mauritius in the 2020–21 CAF Champions League.
[32]
- ^
Niger (NIG): The
2019–20 Niger Premier League was abandoned (season cancelled, title not awarded) by the
Nigerien Football Federation due to the
COVID-19 pandemic in Niger.
AS SONIDEP, who were the
2018–19 Niger Premier League champions, will represent Niger in the 2020–21 CAF Champions League.
[33]
- ^
Nigeria (NGA): The
2019–20 Nigeria Professional Football League was abandoned (season cancelled, title not awarded) by the
Nigeria Football Federation due to the
COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria.
Plateau United and
Enyimba, who were at first and second place (by points per game) at the time of abandonment, will represent Nigeria in the 2020–21 CAF Champions League.
[34]
- ^
Rwanda (RWA): The
2019–20 Rwanda Premier League was abandoned by the
Rwanda Football Federation due to the
COVID-19 pandemic in Rwanda.
APR, who were at first place after 23 rounds (last completed round at the time of abandonment, table considered final) and declared champions, will represent Rwanda in the 2020–21 CAF Champions League.
[35]
- ^
Senegal (SEN): The
2019–20 Senegal Premier League was abandoned (season cancelled, title not awarded) by the
Senegalese Football Federation due to the
COVID-19 pandemic in Senegal.
Tengueth, who were at first place at the time of abandonment, will represent Senegal in the 2020–21 CAF Champions League.
[36]
- ^
Sierra Leone (SLE): The
2019–20 Sierra Leone National Premier League was abandoned (season cancelled, title not awarded) by the
Sierra Leone Football Association due to the
COVID-19 pandemic in Sierra Leone. No team will represent Sierra Leone in the 2020–21 CAF Champions League.
[37]
- ^
South Sudan (SSD): The
2020 South Sudan Football Championship was abandoned (season cancelled, title not awarded) by the
South Sudan Football Association due to the
COVID-19 pandemic in South Sudan. No team will represent South Sudan in the 2020–21 CAF Champions League.
[38]
- ^
Togo (TOG): The
2019–20 Togolese Championnat National was abandoned by the
Togolese Football Federation due to the
COVID-19 pandemic in Togo.
ASKO Kara, who were at first place at the time of abandonment (table considered final) and declared champions, will represent Togo in the 2020–21 CAF Champions League.
[39]
- ^
Uganda (UGA): The
2019–20 Uganda Premier League was abandoned by the
Federation of Uganda Football Associations due to the
COVID-19 pandemic in Uganda.
Vipers, who were at first place at the time of abandonment (table considered final) and declared champions, will represent Uganda in the 2020–21 CAF Champions League.
[40]
Location of teams of the
2020–21 CAF Champions League.
Red: Preliminary round;
Green: First Round;
Brown: Group A;
Orange: Group B;
Yellow: Group C;
Blue: Group D.
The start of the competition was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On 1 September 2020, the CAF announced the new schedule.[7][41] On 10 September 2020, the CAF decided to further delay the preliminary round, originally scheduled for 20–22 November (first legs) and 28–29 November (second legs), and the first round, originally scheduled for 11–13 December (first legs) and 18–20 December (second legs).[42]
More information Phase, Round ...
Schedule for 2020–21 CAF Champions League
| Phase |
Round |
Draw date |
First leg |
Second leg |
| Qualifying |
Preliminary round |
9 November 2020 |
28–29 November 2020 |
4–5 December 2020 |
| First round |
22–23 December 2020 |
5–6 January 2021 |
| Group stage |
Matchday 1 |
8 January 2021 |
12–13 February 2021 |
| Matchday 2 |
23–24 February 2021 |
| Matchday 3 |
5–6 March 2021 |
| Matchday 4 |
16–17 March 2021 |
| Matchday 5 |
2–3 April 2021 |
| Matchday 6 |
9–10 April 2021 |
| Knockout stage |
Quarter-finals |
30 April 2021 |
14–15 May 2021 |
21–22 May 2021 |
| Semi-finals |
18–19 June 2021 |
25–26 June 2021 |
| Final |
17 July 2021 |
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The original schedule of the competition, as planned before the pandemic, was as follows.[43]
More information Phase, Round ...
Original schedule for 2020–21 CAF Champions League
| Phase |
Round |
Draw date |
First leg |
Second leg |
| Qualifying |
Preliminary round |
TBD 2020 |
7–9 August 2020 |
21–23 August 2020 |
| First round |
11–13 September 2020 |
25–27 September 2020 |
| Group stage |
Matchday 1 |
7 October 2020 |
27–29 November 2020 |
| Matchday 2 |
4–6 December 2020 |
| Matchday 3 |
8–10 January 2021 |
| Matchday 4 |
22–24 January 2021 |
| Matchday 5 |
5–7 February 2021 |
| Matchday 6 |
12–14 February 2021 |
| Knockout stage |
Quarter-finals |
17 February 2021 |
5–7 March 2021 |
19–21 March 2021 |
| Semi-finals |
9–11 April 2021 |
23–25 April 2021 |
| Final |
28 May 2021 |
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The draw for the qualifying rounds was held on 9 November 2020 at the CAF headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.[44][45]
In the qualifying rounds, each tie was played on a home-and-away two-legged basis. If the aggregate score was tied after the second leg, the away goals rule would be applied, and if still tied, extra time would not be played, and the penalty shoot-out would be used to determine the winner (Regulations III. 13 & 14).[2]
Preliminary round
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Notes:
The preliminary round second leg match between Ashanti de Siguiri and Stade Malien could not be played after 4 of the 17 players from Ashanti de Siguiri tested positive for COVID-19. Thus, Ashanti de Siguiri were not able to name the required 15 players for holding the match, and subsequently, Stade Malien were awarded a technical 2–0 victory for the second leg by CAF in accordance with the regulations related to COVID-19.[46][47] Al Ahly Benghazi won on walkover after Mekelle 70 Enderta were not able to present themselves with 15 players (including 1 goalkeeper) for the first leg in Cairo citing the Tigray conflict.[48][49] Gazelle won on walkover after GR/SIAF failed to appear for the first leg in N'Djamena.[50][51] The preliminary round second leg match between FC Nouadhibou and Asante Kotoko could not be played after 2 of the 16 players from FC Nouadhibou tested positive for COVID-19. Thus, FC Nouadhibou were not able to name the required 15 players for holding the match, and subsequently, Asante Kotoko were awarded a technical 2–0 victory for the second leg by CAF in accordance with the regulations related to COVID-19.[52][53]
First round
The 16 winners of the first round advanced to the group stage, while the 16 losers of the first round entered the Confederation Cup play-off round.
More information Team 1, Agg.Tooltip Aggregate score ...
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Notes:
Gazelle failed to appear for the first leg in Cairo following disputes between the Ministry of Youth and Sports in the country and the Chadian Football Federation, which prevented the club from traveling to Egypt. As a result, Gazelle were disqualified from the competition by CAF, and Zamalek won on walkover.[54][55] The first round second leg match between Asante Kotoko and Al Hilal could not be played after 7 players from Asante Kotoko tested positive for COVID-19. Thus, Asante Kotoko were not able to name the required 15 players for holding the match, and subsequently, Al Hilal were awarded a technical 2–0 victory for the second leg by CAF in accordance with the regulations related to COVID-19.[56][57]
The draw for the group stage was held on 8 January 2021, 12:30 GMT (14:30 local time, UTC+2), at the CAF headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.[58][59] The 16 teams, all winners of the first round of qualifying, were drawn into four groups of four.
The teams were seeded by their performances in the CAF competitions for the previous five seasons (CAF 5-year ranking points shown in parentheses). Each group contained one team from each of Pot 1, Pot 2, Pot 3, and Pot 4, and each team was allocated to the positions in their group according to their pot.[60][61]
More information Pot, Pot 1 ...
| Pot |
Pot 1 |
Pot 2 |
Pot 3 |
Pot 4 |
|---|
| Teams |
|
|
|
|
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In each group, teams play against each other home-and-away in a round-robin format. The winners and runners-up of each group will advance to the quarter-finals of the knockout stage.
More information Tiebreakers ...
| Tiebreakers |
Teams are ranked according to points (3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, 0 points for a loss). If tied on points, tiebreakers are applied in the following order (Regulations III. 20 & 21):[2]
- Points in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
- Goal difference in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
- Goals scored in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
- Away goals scored in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
- If more than two teams are tied, and after applying all head-to-head criteria above, a subset of teams are still tied, all head-to-head criteria above are reapplied exclusively to this subset of teams;
- Goal difference in all group matches;
- Goals scored in all group matches;
- Away goals scored in all group matches;
- Drawing of lots.
|
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Group A
More information Pos, Pld ...
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Group B
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Group C
More information Pos, Pld ...
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Tied on head-to-head points (2), on head-to-head goal difference (0) and on head-to-head goals scored (2). Head-to-head away goals scored: Kaizer Chiefs 2, Horoya 0.
Group D
More information Pos, Pld ...
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The mechanism of the draws for each round is as follows:
- In the draw for the quarter-finals, the four group winners are seeded, and the four group runners-up are unseeded. The seeded teams are drawn against the unseeded teams, with the seeded teams hosting the second leg. Teams from the same group cannot be drawn against each other, while teams from the same association can be drawn against each other.
- In the draws for semi-finals, there are no seedings, and teams from the same group or the same association can be drawn against each other. As the draws for the quarter-finals and semi-finals are held together before the quarter-finals are played, the identity of the quarter-final winners is not known at the time of the semi-final draw.
Bracket
The bracket was decided after the draw for the knockout stage (quarter-finals and semi-finals), which was held on 30 April 2021, 15:00 CAT (UTC+2), at the CAF headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.[62][63]
Quarter-finals
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Semi-finals
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Team eliminated / inactive for this round.
More information Rank, Player ...
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Al Ahly (10th title)
Kaizer Chiefs
Belouizdad
MC Alger
Al Ahly
Raja Casablanca
Wydad AC
1º de Agosto
Stade Malien
Teungueth
ASKO Kara
Mogadishu City
Mekelle 70 Enderta
GR/SIAF
AS Bouenguidi
US Zilimadjou
Le Messager Ngozi
Al Merrikh
Enyimba
Asante Kotoko
MC Alger
CS Sfaxien
Petro de Luanda
FC Platinum
Simba
Gor Mahia
Wydad AC
TP Mazembe
Samir Nurković
