The lineup for the opening preliminary round of the 2025-2026 CAF Champions League has been confirmed, setting the stage for a series of compelling clashes across the continent. This initial phase promises high drama as clubs from across Africa vie for progression into the coveted group stages.
The opening fixture features Aigle Noir of Burundi taking on ASAS/Djibouti Telecom. Both teams hail from leagues that often fly under the radar, offering a platform for emerging talents to shine and capture wider attention in African football circles.
Following this, Ethiopian Insurance will meet Tanzania’s Mlandege FC, as each club aims to represent their national leagues with pride and push deeper into the competition.
One of the intriguing matches includes Mogadishu City Club from Somalia facing Kenya Police. The Somali side, emblematic of resilience amid national rebuilding, will test themselves against a Kenyan outfit known for tactical discipline and structured play, promising a well-balanced and fiercely contested encounter.
Another notable pairing is Rahimo FC of Burkina Faso against AS Mangasport from Gabon, both sides with strong domestic reputations eager to make a continental statement.
Benin’s Dadje FC will also embark on a challenging assignment against a Libyan club, adding further diversity to the competition’s opening round.
The full slate of first preliminary round fixtures is as follows:
- Aigle Noir (Burundi) / ASAS Djibouti Telecom (Djibouti) vs Al Ahly FC (Egypt)
- Ethiopian Insurance (Ethiopia) / Mlandege FC (Tanzania) vs APR FC (Rwanda) / Pyramids FC (Egypt)
- Mogadishu CC (Somalia) / Kenya Police (Kenya) vs Jamus FC, Juba (South Sudan) / Al Hilal (Sudan)
- Rahimo FC (Burkina Faso) / AS Mangasport (Gabon) vs Armed Forces (Niger) / EST
- Dadje FC (Benin) / Libya 1 vs ASCK (Togo) / RS Berkane (Morocco)
- East End Lions (Sierra Leone) / US Monastirienne (Tunisia) vs Bibiani Goldstars (Ghana) / JS Kabylie (Algeria)
- Fundacion Bata (Equatorial Guinea) / FC Nouadhibou (Mauritania) vs AS Tempête (Congo) / Stade Malien (Mali)
- Libya 2 / Horoya AC (Guinea) vs Real de Banjul (Gambia) / ASFAR (Morocco)
- Colombe Sportive (Burundi) / ASC Jaraaf (Senegal) vs FC Fassell (Liberia) / MC Alger (Algeria)
- Remo Stars (Nigeria) / US Zilimadjou (Comoros) vs Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
- Simba Bhora (Zimbabwe) / Nsingizini Hotspurs (Eswatini) vs Gaborone United (Botswana) / Simba (Tanzania)
- Elgeco Plus (Madagascar) / Silver Strikers (Malawi) vs Wiliete Benguela (Angola) / Young Africans (Tanzania)
- Côte d’Or (Seychelles) / Stade d’Abidjan (Ivory Coast) vs Cercle Joachim (Mauritius) / Atletico Petroleos (Angola)
- AC Leopards (Congo) / Black Bulls (Botswana) vs RDC 1 / Rivers United (Nigeria)
- African Stars (Namibia) / Vipers SC (Uganda) vs Power Dynamos (Zambia) / Asec Mimosas (Ivory Coast)
- DRC 2 / El Merreikh (Sudan) vs Lioli FC (Lesotho) / Orlando Pirates (South Africa)
This first stage offers a rich tapestry of African football cultures and playing styles, as clubs with varied histories and ambitions collide. For many, this is the first step toward continental recognition and the opportunity to compete against the continent’s elite.
With so much at stake, the 2025-2026 CAF Champions League promises to deliver fierce competition, thrilling narratives, and unforgettable moments right from the outset.
Fans across Africa and beyond will be keenly watching as these teams begin their journeys toward glory on the continent’s biggest club stage.
