Club Africain face Djoliba as CAF Champions League preliminary ties continue

The first-leg matches in the opening preliminary round of the CAF Champions League continue across the continent on Saturday, 5 September 2026, with Club Africain’s meeting with Djoliba AC de Bamako and Young Africans’ trip to Gaborone United among the day’s main fixtures.

Club Africain are scheduled to host Djoliba AC de Bamako at 18:00 in a contest between two sides with established experience of African competition. The match is one of the headline fixtures on a busy programme featuring teams from across the continent.

Young Africans SC will also begin their campaign away from home, travelling to face Gaborone United FC at 17:00. The Tanzanian side will be looking to put themselves in a strong position before the second leg.

Another notable fixture sees Al Hilal SC visit Burundi to play Aigle Noir FC at 13:00. Al Hilal SC are among the more experienced teams in the competition and will aim to secure an advantage from the opening match.

Al Merriekh SC are listed to welcome Power Dynamos FC of Zambia at 17:00. The day’s fixtures come before the final first-round matches, which are due to take place on Sunday, 6 September.

The introductory fixture summary lists FC San Pedro against Rivers United and Vipers SC against FC Nouadhibou at 18:00. However, the detailed schedule gives both matches a 16:00 kick-off. The full list also includes a separate 13:00 fixture between El Merriekh SC Bentiu and Heegan SC, in addition to the Al Merriekh SC match against Power Dynamos FC.

Saturday’s complete programme is:

– 13:00: Aigle Noir FC v Al Hilal SC – 13:00: El Merriekh SC Bentiu v Heegan SC – 14:00: CFFA v Lijabatho FC – 14:30: Aiglons FC de N’Djamena v Sidama Bunna FC – 14:30: AS Manga Sport v African Stars – 16:00: FC San Pedro v Rivers United – 16:00: FC Canchungo v Teungueth FC – 16:00: Vipers SC v FC Nouadhibou – 16:00: Star Sport Academy v Medina United FC – 17:00: Gaborone United FC v Young Africans SC – 17:00: Al Merriekh SC v Power Dynamos FC – 18:00: Club Africain v Djoliba AC de Bamako

The opening round is being played over first and second legs, adding importance to Saturday’s results as clubs seek to gain an early advantage before the return fixtures. For Club Africain, Young Africans SC and Al Hilal SC in particular, the opening matches offer an opportunity to establish momentum in the competition.