African heavyweights discover their Champions League paths as preliminary round begins

The CAF Champions League returns to competitive action from Friday, 4 September to Sunday, 6 September, with the first legs of the opening preliminary round offering clubs across the continent an early chance to gain an advantage in the race for qualification.

Several of Africa’s leading sides will begin their campaigns during the three-day schedule. MC Alger travel to face ASN Nigelec, ASEC meet ASCK and TP Mazembe take on Medama Sporting Club. Stade Malien, JSK, MAS Fes and Zamalek are also in action as the first-round ties get under way.

The first matches will be played on Friday, when Zamalek visit AS du Port/TACO. JS Saoura host Horoya, while Al Shwehly SC face KVZ.

Friday, 4 September

17:00: Al Shwehly SC v KVZ 17:00: AS du Port/TACO v Zamalek 18:00: JS Saoura v Horoya

Saturday brings a packed programme of 16 matches. JSK host APR, Club Africain meet Djoliba and Gabonese United Sporting Club take on Young Africans.

Al Hilal begin away to Aigle Noir, while Al Merreikh FC face Heegan and Mangasport play African Stars FC. There are also fixtures involving Vipers Sports Club, Nouadhibou, San-Pedro, Rivers United FC, FC Canchungo and Teungueth.

Saturday, 5 September

13:00: Aigle Noir v Al Hilal 13:00: CfA v Lijabatho FC 13:00: Al Merreikh FC v Heegan 14:00: Mangasport v African Stars FC 14:30: Aiglon FC v Sidama Coffee 15:00: JSK v APR 15:00: FC 15 de Agosto de Akonibe v Fomboni FC 16:00: Vipers Sports Club v Nouadhibou 16:00: San-Pedro v Rivers United FC 16:00: FC Canchungo v Teungueth 16:00: Star Sport Academy v Medina United FC 17:00: Al Merreikh v Power Dynamos Football Club 17:00: Gabonese United Sporting Club v Young Africans 18:00: Club Africain v Djoliba

The remaining first legs will be contested on Sunday, with TP Mazembe travelling to Medama Sporting Club and Stade Malien visiting Colombe.

MC Alger’s campaign starts away against ASN Nigelec, while ASEC face an away trip to ASCK. MAS Fes host Rahimo in the final fixture of the opening round, which is scheduled for 19:00.

Sunday’s programme also includes meetings between a number of established sides. Orlando Pirates travel to La Cure Sylvester SC, Pyramids visit Gor Mahia Football Club and Simba Sports Club play away to Mighty Wanderers FC. Petro Luanda face Clube Uniao Desportiva do Songo, while Enugu Rangers host AS Sobemap.

Sunday, 6 September

11:30: La Cure Sylvester SC v Orlando Pirates 12:00: Gor Mahia Football Club v Pyramids 13:00: Clube Uniao Desportiva do Songo v Petro Luanda 13:00: Mighty Wanderers FC v Simba Sports Club 13:00: Scotland Football Club v Nsingizini Hotspurs Football Club 15:00: Medama Sporting Club v TP Mazembe 15:00: Colombe v Stade Malien 15:00: Wiliete v Foresters Mont Fleuri Football Club 15:00: Enugu Rangers v AS Sobemap 15:00: ASN Nigelec v MC Alger 15:30: ASCK v ASEC 19:00: MAS Fes v Rahimo