CAF Champions League: Second preliminary round cleared as group stage teams emerge

The race for a place in the group stage of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League gathered pace as several clubs secured qualification following the conclusion of the second preliminary round.

The return-leg fixtures produced a mixture of emphatic victories and closely contested encounters, with the successful sides booking their places in the group stage of Africa’s premier club competition.

Orlando Pirates were among the standout performers, thrashing African Stars 4-0 to complete a commanding 5-0 aggregate victory. The South African giants maintained their impressive form to secure progression without conceding across the two legs.

Petro Atletico also booked their place in the group stage after defeating Scottland 3-0 in the return leg. The Angolan side overturned their first-leg deficit to advance 3-2 on aggregate.

Egyptian giants Pyramids FC produced another dominant display, defeating El Merriekh FC Bentiu 4-0 to complete a 5-0 aggregate victory. Fellow Egyptian side Zamalek also progressed after edging APR FC 1-0, securing a 2-0 aggregate success.

Moroccan side RS Berkane continued their continental campaign with a 1-0 victory over Star Sport Academy, advancing 3-0 on aggregate, while Tanzanian outfit Simba SC cruised past 15 de Agosto 3-0 to seal an emphatic 9-1 aggregate triumph.

Cameroon’s Colombe Sportive made history by securing their maiden CAF Champions League group-stage appearance. Eyango Priso scored the decisive goal in a 1-0 victory over Teungueth FC, completing a 3-0 aggregate win after their first-leg success in Dakar.

Al Hilal also progressed comfortably, defeating Sidaama Buna 2-0 in the return leg to secure a 4-0 aggregate victory. Algerian side MC Alger overturned their first-leg deficit against Enugu Rangers with a convincing 3-0 win, advancing 3-2 on aggregate.

In another notable result, Moroccan side MAS Fes eliminated Ivorian giants ASEC Mimosas after recording a 2-1 away victory to complete a 3-2 aggregate success.

Tunisia’s Espérance de Tunis needed penalties to overcome Asswehly SC after the tie ended 1-1 on aggregate. Espérance held their nerve to win the shootout 3-1 and book their place in the group stage.

Horoya AC also progressed through a penalty shootout, defeating Al Merreikh 5-3 from the spot after the two sides finished level at 1-1 on aggregate.

Meanwhile, Mamelodi Sundowns were held to a 1-1 draw by Wiliete Benguela, with the Angolan side advancing under the away-goals rule, according to the supplied results.

With the second preliminary round completed, the qualified clubs will now turn their attention to the group stage, where they will face stronger opposition in their quest to be crowned champions of Africa.

CAF Champions League Preliminary Round | Second-leg results

Petro Atletico 3-0 Scottland — Petro Atletico advance 3-2 on aggregate

Mamelodi Sundowns 1-1 Wiliete Benguela — Wiliete Benguela advance on away goals

Orlando Pirates 4-0 African Stars — Orlando Pirates advance 5-0 on aggregate

MC Alger 3-0 Enugu Rangers — MC Alger advance 3-2 on aggregate

Espérance de Tunis 1-0 Asswehly SC — 1-1 on aggregate; Espérance win 3-1 on penalties

Al Merreikh 1-0 Horoya AC — 1-1 on aggregate; Horoya win 5-3 on penalties

Pyramids FC 4-0 El Merriekh FC Bentiu — Pyramids advance 5-0 on aggregate

Zamalek 1-0 APR FC — Zamalek advance 2-0 on aggregate

RS Berkane 1-0 Star Sport Academy — RS Berkane advance 3-0 on aggregate

Simba SC 3-0 15 de Agosto — Simba advance 9-1 on aggregate

Colombe Sportive 1-0 Teungueth FC — Colombe Sportive advance 3-0 on aggregate

Al Hilal 2-0 Sidaama Buna — Al Hilal advance 4-0 on aggregate

ASEC Mimosas 1-2 MAS Fes — MAS Fes advance 3-2 on aggregate

Club Africain 1-0 TP Mazembe — Club Africain advance 2-1 on aggregate

FC Nouadhibou 2-0 San Pedro — FC Nouadhibou advance 3-2 on aggregate