CAF Champions League: Maghreb Fez to battle Rahimo in preliminary round

Maghreb Fez will begin their return to the CAF Champions League with a two-legged preliminary-round tie against Burkina Faso’s Rahimo FC after Thursday’s draw in Cairo.

The Moroccan champions, who are back in Africa’s premier club competition after ending a 41-year wait for the Botola Pro title, must overcome the Burkinabe side to keep alive their hopes of reaching the group stage of the 2026-27 tournament.

Should Maghreb Fez progress, they will face either Ivory Coast’s ASEC Mimosas or Togo’s ASKO de Kara in the second preliminary round.

Road to the group stage takes shape

The first legs of the opening preliminary round are scheduled for September 4, 5 or 6, with the return fixtures taking place a week later on September 11, 12 or 13.

If Maghreb Fez advance, they will return to action in October, when the second preliminary round gets under way. The first leg will be played on October 16, 17 or 18, while the decisive return match is set for October 23, 24 or 25.

The draw marks the start of the club’s latest continental adventure as they seek to secure a place among Africa’s elite in the competition’s group stage.

Berkane receive direct passage to second round

Fellow Moroccan side RS Berkane have been handed a bye into the second preliminary round and will begin their campaign in October.

The Orange Boys will take on the winners of the first-round clash between Sierra Leone’s Star Sport Academy and Gambian outfit Medina United.

Having reached the semi-finals of last season’s competition before being knocked out by AS FAR, Berkane will be hoping to make another deep run and challenge for a place in the latter stages once again.

Moroccan clubs eye continental success

Both Maghreb Fez and Berkane will carry Moroccan hopes in this season’s CAF Champions League as they look to make an impact on the continental stage.

For Maghreb Fez, the tournament offers an opportunity to build on last season’s historic domestic triumph, while Berkane will be determined to go one step further after falling short in the semi-finals last year.