Zamalek edge victory as CAF Champions League preliminary ties begin

Zamalek SC began their CAF Champions League campaign with a 2-1 away win over AS du Port/TACO on Friday, while JS Saoura and Al Swehly SC also secured narrow first-leg victories in the opening matches of the first preliminary round.

The competition officially got under way on 4 September 2026, with three fixtures played on the opening day. The remaining matches in this stage are scheduled to take place on Saturday and Sunday.

Zamalek SC produced the day’s most significant result by winning in unfamiliar surroundings against AS du Port/TACO. The Egyptian club will now take a one-goal advantage into the second leg, which will be played at home.

That result leaves Zamalek SC needing to protect their lead in Cairo if they are to reach the second preliminary round. AS du Port/TACO must overturn the deficit away from home to keep their continental campaign alive.

JS Saoura also claimed a slender advantage, defeating Horoya AC 1-0 in the other highly anticipated fixture of the day. The Algerian side will travel to Guinea for the return match with a narrow lead.

A win or draw in the second leg would be enough for JS Saoura to advance to the next stage of the competition. Horoya AC, meanwhile, will need to score at home and overturn the tie after failing to find the net in the opening game.

The third match saw Al Swehly SC beat KVZ FC 1-0. The Libyan club’s victory gives it a similarly limited advantage before the return fixture against the Zanzibar-based side.

Al Swehly SC are now targeting progression to a second-round tie against Esperance de Tunis. Their first-leg success means they will go into the return match with the opportunity to secure their place in that contest.

The CAF Champions League continues on Saturday with several more first-round preliminary fixtures, before further matches are played on Sunday.

A total of 61 clubs are taking part in this edition of the competition. The defending champions, Mamelodi Sundowns, along with Esperance de Tunis and RS Berkane, have been given direct entry to the second preliminary round and are therefore exempt from this opening stage.

Friday’s results were:

– Al Swehly SC 1-0 KVZ FC – AS du Port/TACO 1-2 Zamalek SC – JS Saoura 1-0 Horoya AC