CAF Champions League: FC San Pedro and FC Nouadhibou meet in crucial first-leg test

FC San Pedro host FC Nouadhibou at the Laurent Pokou Stadium in San Pedro on Saturday 17 October 2026 in the first leg of the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League.

The two domestic champions begin the tie aiming to secure an advantage before the return match and move closer to the group stage.

FC San Pedro will look to use home support to strengthen their position in the competition. The Ivorian club, which has regularly featured in African competitions in recent seasons, knows that a positive result on home soil could prove decisive ahead of the trip to Mauritania.

FC Nouadhibou arrive with their own continental experience and will be seeking a result that leaves them in control of the tie. The Mauritanian champions are expected to rely on their tactical discipline and collective defensive strength as they attempt to withstand the pressure at the Laurent Pokou Stadium.

A significant opening leg

The match brings together two teams with the same objective: reaching the prestigious group stage of the CAF Champions League.

With the margins likely to be narrow, the outcome may depend on how efficiently each side performs in both penalty areas. Managing the key periods of the match will also be important as both clubs seek to establish an advantage before the second leg.