JS Kabyile, AS FAR share spoils, Esperance edge Simba
JS Kabyle managed to secure a point against Moroccan side, AS FAR while Tunisian giants, Esperance secured a vital win over Simba at home on Match Day 3 of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League group stages.
Kabyile Far Share Spoils
RS Berkane were also in action against reigning African champions, Pyramids FC of Egypt in another closely contested affair that ended 0-0 in Berkane.
Below is a summary of some of the concluded TotalEnergies CAF Champions League group stage matches.
JS Kabylie 0–0 AS FAR
JS Kabylie and AS FAR played out to a goalless draw (0–0) on Saturday evening at the Martyr Hussein Aït Ahmed Stadium in Tizi Ouzou in a tough Group B TotalEnergies CAF Champions League encounter.
Aymen Mahious and Riyad Bouddebouz tried to put pressure on the Moroccan defense, but AS FAR’s low block remained solid and well organized.
The Moroccan response came through Zakaria Hadraf, who broke through the Kabylie defense in the 27th minute. One-on-one with goalkeeper Gaïa Merbah, he was denied by a decisive save.
The second half followed the same pattern, with both teams searching for an opening but unable to make the difference.
In the 55th minute, Bouddebouz tried his luck again with a powerful shot, but AS FAR goalkeeper El Khayati made a fine save.
JS Kabylie and AS FAR therefore part without a winner. Both teams are now under pressure and will have to react quickly in the coming matches if they want to keep their qualification hopes alive.
Espérance de Tunis 1–0 Simba SC
Espérance Sportive de Tunis did what was necessary by beating Simba SC (1–0) on Saturday at the Hammadi Agrebi Stadium in Radès, during Matchday 3 of Group D in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League group stage.
The only goal of the match was scored by Jacques Diarra in the 21st minute. It was enough to secure three precious points for the “Blood and Gold,” who now lead Group D with 5 points.
This was Espérance’s first victory in the group stage after two previous draws. Simba SC, on the other hand, remain without a win and sit at the bottom of the group with zero points.
Overall dominant, the Tunisians could have increased the score but lacked precision in the final touch and made a few rushed decisions. Simba SC never really managed to break through Espérance’s solid defensive organization, despite a few attempts.
RS Berkane 0 – 0 Pyramids FC
RS Berkane and Pyramids FC played out a tense 0-0 draw in a closely contested CAF encounter, with both sides creating chances but failing to find a decisive breakthrough.
The Moroccan hosts came closest to scoring in the second half when Zinedine Machach struck the right post with a powerful effort from outside the box in the 87th minute. Earlier, Oussama Lamlioui and Ayoub Khairi also tested Pyramids goalkeeper Ahmed El Shenawy, who made a fine save to deny Lamlioui in the first half.
Pyramids had their own opportunities, notably through Fiston Mayele, whose close-range effort was well saved by RS Berkane goalkeeper Mehdi Maftah, while Mahmoud Zalaka and Ahmed Atef both went close with efforts that narrowly missed the target.
The match was physical and tactical, with several fouls, yellow cards, and injury stoppages interrupting the rhythm. Both coaches made multiple substitutions in search of a winner, but neither attack could break down the disciplined defensive lines.
After seven minutes of added time, the referee brought the game to an end with the scoreboard unchanged. The goalless draw reflects the balance between two well-organised sides, setting up an intriguing return leg as both teams remain firmly in contention.
Power Dynamos and Rivers United claimed their first points of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League group stage after playing out a goalless draw in Ndola on Saturday, a result that keeps both sides rooted to the bottom of Group A at the halfway point of the competition.
The stalemate at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium came after both teams had lost their opening two matches, leaving them desperate to kick-start their campaigns.
Despite the urgency, neither side was able to find the breakthrough in a contest marked more by caution than cutting edge.
Power Dynamos, backed by home support, showed greater intent in the early stages and tried to impose themselves through quick transitions and balls into the channels.
Rivers United, however, remained compact and disciplined, limiting clear chances and slowing the tempo whenever pressure mounted.
The Nigerian side grew into the game as the first half wore on and enjoyed spells of possession, but their approach play lacked the final pass.
Both goalkeepers were largely untroubled before the break, with efforts from distance either blocked or drifting off target.
The pattern continued after half-time, with Power Dynamos pushing forward in search of a vital win while Rivers United looked to exploit spaces on the counter.
Clear chances remained scarce, and as the match entered its closing stages, the priority appeared to shift towards avoiding another damaging defeat.
The final whistle confirmed a point apiece — a result that leaves both clubs on one point from three matches, with qualification hopes fading but not entirely extinguished.
At the top of Group A, attention now turns to a pivotal showdown later in the matchday, when Moroccan side RS Berkane host Egyptian champions Pyramids FC in a clash between the two teams locked on six points.
With the group finely poised at the summit, that encounter could prove decisive in shaping the race for the quarter-finals.
