The wait is over as the 2025/26 CAF Champions League group stage is here.
The stage is set for Africa’s finest clubs to chase glory, and with it, the stars destined to become legends.
This season brings a mix of the familiar and the new: champions looking to defend their thrones and hungry debutants eager to upset the order.
But as history shows, tournaments are defined by the brilliance of individuals who turn matches on their heads.
Here are five players tipped to headline this season’s spectacle.
1. Fiston Mayele – Pyramids FC (DR Congo)
There’s a reason the football world keeps whispering Fiston Mayele’s name. The Congolese forward has transformed into a one-man demolition crew for Pyramids FC. After topping the CAF Champions League scoring charts last season, Mayele’s magic carried into the FIFA Intercontinental Cup, where his hat-trick against Al Ahli Saudi made global headlines. His winner in the CAF Super Cup sealed his reputation as a big-game specialist. A strong Champions League run could see him crowned CAF Interclub Player of the Year, and perhaps even challenge the continent’s elite for African Footballer of the Year honours.
2. Oussama Lamlioui – RS Berkane (Morocco)
If precision had a face, it would be Oussama Lamlioui’s. The Moroccan marksman has become the heartbeat of RS Berkane, leading the line with sharp instincts in front of goal. After conquering the CAF Confederation Cup and CHAN scoring charts last season, Lamlioui now turns his focus to Africa’s premier competition. Three goals in the preliminary rounds suggest he’s ready to make a mark.
3. Florian Danho – Espérance de Tunis (Tunisia)
Florian Danho arrived in North Africa with little fanfare, but in a few months, he’s turned into one of Espérance de Tunis’s most electric players. The French-Ivorian winger, signed from Randers FC in Denmark, has lit up Tunisian football. He’s already contributed four goals in six games across all competitions and seems tailor-made for the big nights of the Champions League. If Espérance are to add a fifth star to their badge, Danho’s creativity and confidence could be the spark that ignites it.
4. Nuno Miguel Santos – Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
When Mamelodi Sundowns sign a player, it’s rarely by chance and in Nuno Miguel Santos, they may have found their next midfield conductor. The Portuguese playmaker joins a squad already packed with flair but brings a unique blend of ingenuity. His vision and ability to control tempo have quickly earned him a starting spot, and fans in Tshwane are already calling him “the new architect.” Sundowns are chasing dominance and with Santos orchestrating play, that dream looks very real.
- Emam Ashour – Al Ahly SC (Egypt)
Emam Ashour, who is technically sublime has become the Red Devils’ midfield heartbeat. Last season, Ashour bagged five goals and two assists in the Champions League, driving Ahly to yet another deep run in the competition. He has succeeded in making himself indispensable and a nightmare for opponents. With another title in his sights, Ashour has his eyes set on both club glory and individual recognition. He’s already on the shortlist for CAF Interclub Player of the Year, and if his form continues, few would argue against his case.
