North African clubs have once again stamped their authority on the continent, dominating the 2025 CAF rankings with an iron grip on the top positions.
The supremacy of the Maghreb and Egypt reflects years of strategic investment, tactical refinement, and competitive domestic leagues.
The latest rankings leave little room for debate.
Of the 15 highest-ranked clubs, seven hail from the Maghreb and Egypt. At the summit sits Egypt’s Al Ahly with 78 points, followed by Tunisia’s Espérance de Tunis on 57 points after an impressive showing at the Club World Cup. Zamalek, another Egyptian giant, takes third place with 42 points.
A structure built for dominance
Egypt boasts a formidable one-two punch in Al Ahly and Zamalek, both firmly embedded in the top three.
Tunisia’s depth is equally remarkable, with four clubs in the top 30: Espérance, Étoile du Sahel, CS Sfaxien and Club Africain.
Morocco has strategically positioned Wydad Casablanca in eighth place and Raja Casablanca at 16th. Algeria’s USM Alger claims ninth, edging out CR Belouizdad in 10th and MC Alger in 16th.
Such dominance is underpinned by state-of-the-art facilities, elite youth academies, and the financial muscle to lure Africa’s best talents. Geographic proximity to Europe has also been leveraged into a competitive edge—enabling the import of not just players but also advanced coaching and management methodologies.
Sub-Saharan Africa fighting for space
Beyond the North African stronghold, only South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns (second with 62 points) and Tanzania’s Simba SC (fifth with 48 points) have managed to disrupt the hegemony.
Once-mighty names such as TP Mazembe (14th) and Orlando Pirates (15th) appear to be losing ground, hindered by organizational challenges and evolving competition across the continent.
The 2025 CAF rankings, based on performances over the past five seasons in the Champions League and Confederation Cup, confirm a decisive shift in African football’s power centre—one that now resides firmly in the north.
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