The second leg of the CAF Champions League preliminary round begins on Wednesday, 24 September 2025, with clubs across the continent preparing for decisive clashes that will determine who advances to the group stage.
While many heavyweights have one foot in the next round, the fate of MC Alger and RS Berkane remains uncertain after disappointing first-leg results.
Some of Africa’s most established teams have already positioned themselves strongly following dominant first-leg displays.
Orlando Pirates, AS FAR Rabat, Espérance de Tunis, and Stade Malien are among those who produced convincing performances, leaving them well-placed to complete the job.
However, others now face do-or-die encounters with no margin for error if they hope to keep their continental ambitions alive.
One of the most finely poised ties involves Algerian side MC Alger, who struggled to impose themselves against Fassell FC in Liberia. Despite controlling much of the play, they failed to convert chances and were forced to settle for a frustrating 0-0 draw.
That result leaves the tie delicately balanced heading into the return fixture in Algiers, where the pressure will be immense. A goalless draw would push the tie into extra time, while conceding an away goal could prove fatal for the hosts.
A similar scenario looms for Moroccan outfit RS Berkane, who were held to a 1-1 draw by ASC Kara in Togo.
Known for their defensive resilience, Berkane found themselves uncharacteristically vulnerable in the first leg, and their opponents will now approach the return fixture with confidence and less pressure.
Playing at home could be an advantage for Berkane, but they will need to be far more clinical to avoid an early exit.
The second-leg schedule also features a host of intriguing encounters across the continent. Several fixtures promise high drama as teams fight for their place in the lucrative group stage.
Among the standout matchups is the clash between Young Africans and Wiliete, as well as Horoya AC’s meeting with Al Hilal Benghazi.
Elsewhere, Egyptian giants Al Ahly Tripoli will aim to seal progression when they host Dadjè FC, while Ghana’s Bibiani GoldStars face a tough task against JS Kabylie in Algeria.
Full Second-Leg Schedule:
Wednesday, 24 September
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16:00 GMT: Stade d’Abidjan v Côte d’Or
Friday, 26 September
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15:00 GMT: Zilimadjou v Remo Stars
Saturday, 27 September
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11:00 GMT: ASAS v Aigle Noir
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13:00 GMT: Black Bulls v Leopards
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13:00 GMT: Silver Strickers v Elgeco Plus
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13:00 GMT: Orlando Pirates v Lioli
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13:00 GMT: St Eloi Lupopo v Al-Merreikh (first leg)
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13:15 GMT: Mlandege v Ethiopian Insurance
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15:00 GMT: Young Africans v Wiliete
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16:00 GMT: Petro Luanda v Cercle de Joachim
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16:00 GMT: Vipers SC v African Stars
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16:30 GMT: Stade Malien v Tempête Mocaf
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16:30 GMT: Horoya AC v Al Hilal Benghazi
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17:00 GMT: Espérance Tunis v AS FAN
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19:00 GMT: AS FAR Rabat v Real Banjul
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19:00 GMT: MC Alger v Fassell FC
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20:00 GMT: RS Berkane v ASC Kara
Sunday, 28 September
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13:00 GMT: Simba SC v Gaborone United
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13:00 GMT: Nsingizini Hotspurs v Simba Bhora
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14:30 GMT: Mangasport v Rahimo FC
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15:00 GMT: Police FC v Mogadishu City
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15:00 GMT: Rivers United v Aigles du Congo
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16:00 GMT: US Monastir v East End Lions
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16:00 GMT: ASEC Mimosas v Power Dynamos
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16:00 GMT: Al-Hilal Omdurman v Jamus
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17:00 GMT: ASC Jaraaf v Colombe du Dja et Lobo
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18:00 GMT: Al Ahly Tripoli v Dadjè FC
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19:00 GMT: Nouadhibou FC v Fundacion Bata
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19:00 GMT: JS Kabylie v Bibiani GoldStars
Wednesday, 1 October
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12:00 GMT: APR FC v Pyramids FC (first leg)
Saturday, 4 October
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16:00 GMT: Al-Merreikh v St Eloi Lupopo (return leg)
Sunday, 5 October
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17:00 GMT: Pyramids FC v APR FC (return leg)
With everything still to play for, the coming days promise high-stakes drama across the continent. For clubs like MC Alger and RS Berkane, the second leg represents a defining moment — one that could either salvage their continental campaigns or end them far sooner than expected.
