CAF Confederation Cup: African contenders begin preliminary-round campaigns

The CAF Confederation Cup gets under way with the first legs of the preliminary round from Friday, 4 September to Sunday, 6 September, as clubs across the continent seek an early advantage before the return fixtures.

Several established African competition teams are involved in the opening round. CS Sfaxien travel to face Shooting Stars SC, while ASKO meet AS Zam. Hafia, Real Bamako, 1o de Agosto and Singida Black Stars are also among the clubs beginning their campaigns this weekend.

The opening schedule features 27 matches across three days, with the first fixtures taking place on Friday afternoon.

Friday, 4 September

Five matches are scheduled for the first day of the preliminary round:

– 14:30: Panthere v Rayon Sports – 14:30: Zarzis v Diambars – 14:30: AS PSI v CO Korhogo – 15:00: AS Port Louis 2000 v Jwaneng Galaxy FC – 17:00: Hilal Alsahil SC (Sdn) v Welwalo Adigrat

Saturday, 5 September

Saturday provides the busiest programme, with 16 first-leg matches taking place.

– 13:00: Atomic Ngome v Associacao Black Bulls – 13:00: Red Arrows FC v FC Rouge – 13:00: KMKM v Al Ahli Tripoli – 13:00: Green Mamba FC v 1o de Agosto – 15:00: AS Douane v Hafia – 15:00: The Panthers FC v Aspac FC – 15:00: Shooting Stars SC v CS Sfaxien – 15:30: AS Zam v ASKO – 16:00: Vitesse FC v Real Bamako – 16:00: Unam FC Windhoek v Kabuscorp – 16:00: Diarra v Nations FC

The meeting between Shooting Stars SC and CS Sfaxien is one of the most notable ties of the round, while ASKO’s visit to AS Zam also brings together sides with continental experience. Hafia, meanwhile, begin their challenge away against AS Douane, and Real Bamako travel to face Vitesse FC.

Sunday, 6 September

The first-leg programme concludes with six matches on Sunday, including Singida Black Stars’ trip to Al-Ghazala SC Wau.

– 13:00: Maritzburg United v Rukinzo – 13:00: Mogadiscio City Club v Kitara FC – 13:00: Virunga FC v Bazar Brothers – 14:00: Al-Ghazala SC Wau v Singida Black Stars – 14:00: Al Ahli Wad Medani v Tusker FC – 15:00: El-Kanemi Warriors FC v Uniao Desportiva Internacional – 16:00: AF Amadou Diallo v East End Lions FC – 17:00: ZED v AS Ali Sabieh

The clubs will be aiming to establish a positive platform in the opening matches, with qualification to be decided after the corresponding return legs. The preliminary round forms the first stage of this season’s CAF Confederation Cup, alongside the opening phase of the CAF Champions League.