African club football has a new power at the top and it’s not from North Africa.
Mamelodi Sundowns have surged to the summit of the latest 2026 CAF club rankings, signaling a significant shift in the continent’s competitive hierarchy. The Betway Premiership champions lead with 68 points, edging past Egyptian giants Al Ahly, who sit just behind on 66 after yet another strong continental campaign.
It’s a statement moment. For years, North African dominance has defined African club football—but Sundowns are now rewriting that script.
Still, the old guard isn’t far behind. Espérance de Tunis (58 points) complete the top three, reinforcing Tunisia’s consistent presence at the elite level. Morocco’s RS Berkane (57) and Egypt’s Zamalek SC (49) round out a fiercely competitive top five.
But beneath that, the real story is brewing.
Clubs like Pyramids FC (48) and USM Alger (47) are quietly building momentum, while a tightly packed chasing group—including AS FAR (41), Al Hilal Omdurman (39), Simba SC (38), and CR Belouizdad (38)—is turning the middle tier into a battleground.
Even more telling is what’s happening further down.
Former continental heavyweights like TP Mazembe and Orlando Pirates now sit 15th and 16th respectively, a clear sign that reputation alone no longer guarantees dominance.
Meanwhile, the rise of clubs from across the continent is impossible to ignore. Sides such as Young Africans S.C. (35), Wydad AC (32), and Rivers United FC (15) highlight a growing depth that is stretching beyond traditional powerhouses.
And then there are the emerging names—Jwaneng Galaxy, Abu Salim SC, and FC Nouadhibou—clubs gaining ground and experience, quietly reshaping the future of African football.
At the tail end, Medeama SC and Al Ittihad Alexandria close out the top 50—reminders of just how fine the margins have become.
This isn’t just a ranking update.
It’s a warning.
The gap is closing, the challengers are rising, and for the first time in years, African club football feels truly unpredictable.
