CAF Champions League: First preliminary round cleared as Zamalek, TP Mazembe and others advance to second phase

The first preliminary round of the 2026/27 CAF Champions League has reached its conclusion, with 26 teams securing their places in the second preliminary round following a weekend of decisive second-leg matches across the continent.

Several ties went down to the wire, with some teams progressing on aggregate, while African Stars, Star Sport Academy, San Pedro and FC Nouadhibou advanced after finishing level on aggregate and benefiting from the away-goal rule.

There was also penalty-shootout drama, with Colombe eliminating Stade Malien after both legs ended goalless before winning 4-3 on penalties.

Among the biggest winners were Simba SC, Pyramids FC, Zamalek, Al-Merreikh, MC Alger and TP Mazembe, who all secured convincing aggregate victories to advance.

The successful teams will now turn their attention to the second preliminary round, where the competition will become even more demanding as clubs battle for places in the CAF Champions League group stage.

For the eliminated teams, their continental campaigns have come to an end, while the 26 qualifiers will continue their pursuit of a place in Africa’s premier club competition.

CAF Champions League Preliminary Round – Saturday’s results

* Al Hilal Omdurman 1-0 Aigle Noir — Al Hilal advance 3-0 on aggregate

* African Stars 2-0 Manga Sport — African Stars advance 3-3 on aggregate

* Heegan FC 0-3 El Merriekh FC Bentiu — El Merriekh FC advance 4-0 on aggregate

* Nsingizini 0-0 Scottland FC — Scottland advance 1-0 on aggregate

* Orlando Pirates 3-1 La Cure Waves — Orlando Pirates advance 3-1 on aggregate

* Power Dynamos 0-1 Al-Merreikh — Al-Merreikh advance 2-0 on aggregate

* TP Mazembe 3-1 Medeama — TP Mazembe advance 4-1 on aggregate

* Lijabatho FC 1-1 CFFA — CFFA advance 3-1 on aggregate

* Petro Atlético 2-2 HCB Senge — Petro Atlético advance 3-2 on aggregate

* Rahimo FC 0-0 MAS Fes — MAS Fes advance 4-1 on aggregate

* Djoliba AC 2-2 Club Africain — Club Africain advance 3-2 on aggregate

* Young Africans 2-1 Gaborone United — Young Africans advance 3-2 on aggregate

* Zamalek 4-0 Ports — Zamalek advance 6-1 on aggregate

* MC Alger 5-0 Nigelec — MC Alger advance 5-0 on aggregate

CAF Champions League Preliminary Round – Sunday’s results

* Foresters FC 0-1 Wiliete Benguela — Wiliete Benguela advance 5-0 on aggregate

* KVZ 0-3 Asswehly SC — Asswehly SC advance 4-0 on aggregate

* Simba SC 6-1 Mighty Wanderers — Simba SC advance 7-1 on aggregate

* Rivers United 2-2 San Pedro — 3-3 on aggregate, San Pedro advance on away-goal rule

* ASEC Mimosas 2-1 ASKO Kara — ASEC advance 3-2 on aggregate

* Horoya AC 3-1 JS Saoura — Horoya AC advance 3-2 on aggregate

* Sidaama Buna 3-0 Aiglons FC — Sidaama Buna advance 3-0 on aggregate

* Stade Malien 0-0 Colombe — 0-0 on aggregate, Colombe win 4-3 on penalties

* FC Nouadhibou 0-0 Vipers SC — 1-1 on aggregate, FC Nouadhibou advance on away-goal rule

* Pyramids FC 5-1 Gor Mahia — Pyramids advance 7-1 on aggregate

* Teungueth FC 1-0 Canchungo — Teungueth FC advance 2-0 on aggregate

Teams qualified for the second preliminary round

1. African Stars – Namibia

2. Al Hilal – Sudan

3. El Merriekh FC Bentiu – South Sudan

4. Scottland

5. Orlando Pirates – South Africa

6. Al-Merreikh – Sudan

7. TP Mazembe – DR Congo

8. CFFA

9. Petro Atlético – Angola

10. MAS Fes – Morocco

11. Club Africain – Tunisia

12. Young Africans – Tanzania

13. Star Sport Academy

14. Zamalek – Egypt

15. MC Alger – Algeria

16. Wiliete Benguela – Angola

17. Asswehly SC – Libya

18. Simba SC – Tanzania

19. San Pedro – Côte d’Ivoire

20. ASEC Mimosas – Côte d’Ivoire

21. Horoya AC – Guinea

22. Sidaama Buna – Ethiopia

23. Colombe – Cameroon

24. FC Nouadhibou – Mauritania

25. Pyramids FC – Egypt

26. Teungueth FC – Senegal