By Sheldon Hakata
BTHE CAF Champions League holds a special place in the hearts of millions of football fans across Africa and beyond. This prestigious tournament arguably represents the pinnacle of African football and showcases the elite-level quality that rivals any global competition. Every season, it delivers thrilling moments through world-class players, top-tier coaches, and iconic clubs competing for continental glory. Sports universally aim to captivate and entertain, creating fi erce rivalries and moments of magic that keep fans coming back. Football, fondly called ‘the beautiful game’, embodies that mission more than most.
Among the many rules that have shaped the drama of football tournaments, few have been as infl uential or as controversial as the away-goals rule. The away-goals rule has sparked debates for decades. Critics argue that it sometimes unfairly benefits the team that plays Ahly. in the second leg, while others believe it creates suspense and high-stakes excitement. Over the years, the CAF Champions League has produced unforgettable moments, last-minute winners, comeback stories, and giant-killings all made more dramatic by the away-goals rule. Historically, the rule has been a fundamental part of two-legged knockout competitions.
In scenarios where the aggregate score is level after two matches, the team that has scored more goals away from home progresses. The rule was designed to encourage attacking football from the away team, countering the natural tendency to play defensively on the road. However, its application has always been contentious, and its impact on strategy increasingly questioned. In June 2021, European football’s governing body, UEFA, announced that it would abolish the away-goals rule in all its club competitions, including the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, Women’s Champions League, Youth League, Super Cup, and the Europa Conference League.
The rule had been in place since 1965, but UEFA deemed it no longer suitable for modern football. Starting from the 2021-2022 season, if teams are level on aggregate after two legs, the tie goes to extra time and potentially penalties, no away-goals advantage applied. This major change has had a significant impact on European competitions. Some fans and pundits miss the tension and mathematical permutations that the rule brought.
Others welcomed its abolition, believing it levels the playing field and encourages attacking football in both legs. By eliminating the fear of conceding an away goal, home teams might be more adventurous, making for more open and exciting matches overall. Despite UEFA’s decision, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has retained the away-goals rule in its competitions. This includes the CAF Champions League, CAF Confederation Cup and twolegged qualification play-offs for tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations.
The rule remains a critical part of the strategic landscape in African football. Proponents of the away-goals rule argue that it adds a layer of tactical complexity and urgency, especially in tightly contested matches. A single goal scored away from home can swing the momentum dramatically, often setting the stage for nail-biting finishes in the second leg. It forces teams to balance offense and defence with greater precision and encourages away teams to play positively instead of sitting back. However, critics highlight several drawbacks.
One major concern is that the rule often discourages home teams from attacking freely in the first leg, fearing the costly conceding of an away goal. This leads to overly cautious football, especially in the opening leg of a tie. Additionally, some argue that the rule, introduced in the 1960s when travel and crowd dynamics heavily favoured home teams, has become outdated. Advances in transportation, stadium infrastructure, and global broadcasting have largely neutralised the historical disadvantages of playing away. There is also empirical evidence that the rule may reduce the total number of goals scored across two legs. The perception of risk differs in each leg, often leading to overly tactical matches with limited goal-scoring opportunities, particularly in the first leg.
On April 25, 2025, the rule again came into sharp focus during a CAF Champions League semi-final clash between South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns and Egypt’s Al Ahly. After a goalless draw in the first leg in Pretoria, the second leg in Cairo saw Al Ahly take the lead. But Sundowns mounted a late comeback, securing a draw and advancing to the final on the away-goals rule. It was heartbreak for Al Ahly and a testament to how the rule can define the outcome of even the most finely balanced encounters. In another dramatic semi-final, Egyptian side Pyramids FC booked their spot in the final for the first time in the club’s history with a 3-2 win over Orlando Pirates in Cairo. The first leg had ended goalless in Johannesburg.
Pirates took an early lead in the return leg, but Pyramids equalised before half-time. The decisive goal came just six minutes from time. Once again, the importance of the awaygoals rule was laid bare, as it influenced how both teams approached each leg. The 2025 CAF Champions League final promises to be another thrilling encounter. The first leg is scheduled for May 25 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa, with the return leg on June 1 at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo, Egypt. While UEFA and other confederations have scrapped the rule, CAF’s continued use has drawn mixed reactions. Some argue that abolishing the rule would promote more offensive football, particularly in the first leg, encouraging home teams to press forward rather than play cautiously. Others believe that retaining the rule ensures every goal — especially away from home — carries weight and meaning, preserving the tension and excitement that knockout football is known for. Football commentator Chirambakusakara shared his view: “Supporters and football lovers go to stadiums for exciting, competitive, world-class football. We want to see goals.
That’s what makes football globally thrilling. I would love to see clubs adopt a more offensive mindset. Go and score goals — but, of course, your defence must be solid too.” He continued: “You must be defensively sound, but the focus should be on scoring. That’s the essence of the game.” There’s certainly merit to both perspectives. On one hand, scrapping the rule aligns with the modern view that football should reward attacking intent and simplify the rules for fans. On the other hand, keeping the rule sustains an element of strategic depth and unpredictability that has led to many iconic moments in football history. Ultimately, the evolution of the game continues.
Just as VAR, goal-line technology, and other changes have transformed football in recent years, the ongoing debate about the away-goals rule reflects a broader conversation about how best to balance fairness, excitement, and tradition in the world’s most popular sport. For now, the CAF Champions League continues to rely on the away-goals rule, and until CAF reconsiders its stance, teams must adapt and strategise accordingly. Whether retained or abolished in the future, the away-goals rule remains a powerful symbol of how a single rule can shape the destiny of footballing giants — and create unforgettable moments in the beautiful game.