CAIRO – Al-Ahly completed their sole training session in Algeria as part of their preparations for Saturday’s clash against JS Kabylie, in the fifth round of Group B fixtures in the CAF Champions League group stage.
The Egyptian champions will face JS Kabylie on Saturday, February 7, 2026, with kick-off set for 9:00pm Cairo Local Time at the Hussein Ait Ahmed Stadium in Tizi Ouzou.
Al-Ahly requires either a win or a draw to seal qualification for the quarter-finals of the continental competition, as the Red Devils continue their bid to reclaim the Champions League crown.
The Cairo-based side sits top of Group B with eight points, having earned a 1–1 draw away to Tanzania’s Young Africans in last Saturday’s fourth-round encounter.
With only two matchdays remaining before the quarter-final line-up is finalised, qualification battles are intensifying across the CAF Champions League. While several teams are on the brink of securing progression, others face a tense fight to remain in contention.
Under the tournament format, only the top two teams from each group advance to the knockout stage, heightening the importance of every point as the group phase reaches its decisive stretch.
Group A: Pyramids FC sit top with 10 points, followed by RS Berkane on 7. Power Dynamos (4) and Rivers United (1) trail but can still influence outcomes.
Group B: Al-Ahly leads with 8 points, while AS FAR and Young Africans both have 5. JS Kabylie remains on 2, seeking a boost.
Group C: Al-Hilal tops with 8 points, with Mamelodi Sundowns on 5. MC Alger and St Eloi Lupopo are tied on 4 each — setting up a tight fight for qualification.
Group D: Stade Malien leads on 8 points, Esperance de Tunis sits second on 6, followed by Petro de Luanda and Simba SC on 5 points.
In Saturday’s Group A tie, reigning champions, Pyramids FC could see themselves taking a giant step towards the quarter-finals with a positive result and remain on course to defending their maiden title, while RS Berkane look to stay firmly in contention.
Group B’s action sees record-holders, Al-Ahly aiming to consolidate their lead, as AS FAR and Young Africans both push for a strong showing to strengthen their top-two hopes.
In another clash Group C, the battle behind leaders Al-Hilal is finely poised – a win for Sundowns could tilt the momentum ahead of their final group stage match against their former coach Rulani Mokwena who is now at the helm of Algerian side, MC Alger.
Group D’s duels feature key clashes that could shuffle the top two spots, keeping the race open in the last two rounds.
Stade Malien look well on course to securing a quarter-final spot for the first time since 2015 but must overcome a steep mountain in the form of former African champions, Esperance Sportive de Tunis.
Saturday February 7
Power Dynamos vs RSB Berkane – Group A
Petro de Luanda vs Simba SC – Group D
JS Kabylie vs Al-Ahly – Group B
FAR Rabat vs Young Africans – Group B
