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2020–21 CAF Champions League
International football competition From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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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.
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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]
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Association team allocation
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]
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
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Teams
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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.
- Teams in bold received a bye to the first round.
- The other teams entered the preliminary round.
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.
- 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]
Casablanca
Greater Cairo
Algiers
Gauteng
Luanda
Omdurman
Benghazi
Bouenguidi
Algiers
Belouizdad
MC Alger
Greater Cairo teams
Al Ahly
Zamalek
Casablanca teams
Raja Casablanca
Wydad AC
Luanda teams
Petro de Luanda
1º de Agosto
Belouizdad
MC AlgerGreater Cairo teams
Al Ahly ZamalekCasablanca teams
Raja Casablanca
Wydad ACLuanda teams
Petro de Luanda
1º de AgostoBenghazi
Al Nasr
Al Ahly
Gauteng teams
Mamelodi Sundowns
Kaizer Chiefs
Omdurman teams
Al Merrikh
Al Hilal
Al Nasr Al AhlyGauteng teams
Mamelodi Sundowns Kaizer ChiefsOmdurman teams
Al Merrikh Al HilalLocation 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.
Red: Preliminary round; Green: First Round; Brown: Group A; Orange: Group B; Yellow: Group C; Blue: Group D.Remove ads
Schedule
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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]
The original schedule of the competition, as planned before the pandemic, was as follows.[43]
Qualifying rounds
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
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]
- 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.
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]
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Group stage
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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]
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.
Group A
Source: Soccerway
Group B
Source: Soccerway
Group C
Source: Soccerway
Notes:
Notes:
Group D
Source: Soccerway
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Knockout stage
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 | Semi-finals | Final | ||||||||||||||||
| 1 |  MC Alger
| 1 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| 8 |  Wydad AC
| 1 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||||||||
| Wydad AC
| 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||
 Kaizer Chiefs
| 1 | 0 | 1 | |||||||||||||||
| 4 | Kaizer Chiefs
| 4 | 0 | 4 | ||||||||||||||
| 5 |  Simba
| 0 | 3 | 3 | ||||||||||||||
| Kaizer Chiefs
| 0 | |||||||||||||||||
 Al Ahly
| 3 | |||||||||||||||||
| 2 | CR Belouizdad
| 2 | 0 | 2 (2) | ||||||||||||||
| 7 |  Espérance de Tunis (p)
| 0 | 2 | 2 (3) | ||||||||||||||
| Espérance de Tunis
| 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||
| Al Ahly
| 1 | 3 | 4 | |||||||||||||||
| 3 | Al Ahly
| 2 | 1 | 3 | ||||||||||||||
| 6 | Mamelodi Sundowns
| 0 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||
Quarter-finals
Semi-finals
Final
The final will be played on 17 July 2021 at Stade Mohammed V, Casablanca.
Referee: Pacifique Ndabihawenimana (Burundi)
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Top goalscorers
Team eliminated / inactive for this round.
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See also
References
External links
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