Pyramids FC has taken the top spot in Opta's latest African club rankings with a rating of 83.1. The Egyptian club surpassed Al Ahly, which has a rating of 82.8, and Young Africans, with a rating of 81.1. The rankings compare over 13,500 men's clubs worldwide using a rating system out of 100. This assessment provides a continent-wide comparison of club strength and indicates how African clubs are positioned globally.
The Opta Power Rankings assess the strength of over 13,500 men's domestic teams worldwide, alongside over 2,500 women's clubs. Each team receives a rating on a scale of zero to 100, reflecting its estimated playing strength relative to other clubs. This allows teams from different domestic leagues and competitions to be compared using the same model. The rankings were last updated on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
Several top-ranked African clubs are preparing for the 2026/27 CAF Champions League group stage, scheduled to begin on November 27. Pyramids, Young Africans, and RS Berkane, who occupy three of the top four positions in the Opta African table, have secured places in the 16-team group stage. The group stage will run through January 2027, with the final scheduled for May.
Pyramids have been drawn in Group D alongside Sudan's Al Hilal Omdurman, Guinea's Horoya AC, and Morocco's MAS de Fès. Young Africans will compete in Group B against Egypt's Zamalek, Algeria's MC Alger, and Tunisia's Club Africain. Berkane are in Group C with Tanzania's Simba SC, South Africa's Orlando Pirates, and Cameroon's Colombe Sportive.
One of the major developments ahead of the group stage was the elimination of defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns. The South African club were knocked out by Angola's Wiliete SC, who secured a historic place in the group stage after progressing on away goals. Sundowns are seventh in the Opta African rankings despite their early exit from the continental competition.
The 16 clubs have been divided into four groups, with the top two from each group advancing to the quarter-finals. CAF has confirmed that the eventual champions will receive US$6 million in prize money. The rankings offer an indication of how African clubs are positioned globally as they prepare for the next phase of continental competition.
The top 20 best football clubs in Africa according to Opta include Pyramids, Ahly, Young Africans, Berkane, Simba, Pirates, Sundowns, FAR Rabat, Belouizdad, Raja, MC Alger, Zamalek, Tunis, Maghreb Fès, Kabylie, Ceramica Cleo, Ahli Tripoli, Petro Luanda, Mazembe, and USM Alger.
Key points
- Pyramids FC leads Opta's African club rankings with a rating of 83.1.
- The 2026/27 CAF Champions League group stage is scheduled to begin on November 27.
- The eventual champions of the CAF Champions League will receive US$6 million in prize money.
