CAF Champions League Set For Decisive Second-Round Battles

CAF Champions League Set for Decisive Second-Round Battles

September 15, 2026
Alie Bittar @bittar32

Debutante Star Sport Academy from Sierra Leone is among a strong list of top teams in the CAF Champions League 2026/27, looking for a breakthrough as the Second Preliminary Round starts next month.

Having knocked out Medina United of The Gambia, the Sierra Leone side are in the midst of strong clubs from Africa competing for 16 spots in the group stage.

The first legs will take place from 16-18 October, and the return matches are scheduled for 23-25 October. The winners will move on to the group stage starting at the end of November.

Defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns will face Angola’s Wiliete Sport Clube de Benguela, who recently won 5-0 on aggregate against Foresters FC. Egyptian club Zamalek, after a 6-1 aggregate win over AS Port of Djibouti, will meet Rwanda’s APR FC, who advanced with a 3-1 aggregate score.

Four-time champions Espérance will compete against Libya’s Al-Swehly, while Pyramids FC, coming off a 7-1 aggregate win, will take on South Sudan’s El Merriekh Bentiu.

Tanzania’s Simba SC, who beat Mighty Wanderers 7-1, will face Nigerian champions Rangers, who advanced on penalties against AS Sobemap of Benin. In DR Congo, TP Mazembe will play Tunisia’s Club Africain, while MC Alger faces FC San Pedro and MAS de Fès takes on ASEC Mimosas.

South Africa’s Orlando Pirates will continue against Namibia’s African Stars after defeating La Cure Waves 3-1. RS Berkane will begin their campaign against Star Sport Academy of Sierra Leone, and Al Hilal Omdurman will meet Ethiopia’s Sidama Bunna.

One match remains, with Equatorial Guinea’s 15 de Agosto leading 4-0 against Fomboni FC. The return leg is on 3 October, with the winner facing Simba SC.

The Second Preliminary Round will be a crucial test as teams pursue Africa’s top club prize and the USD 6 million awarded to the winners. CAF will also provide USD 100,000 to teams eliminated in the preliminary rounds to assist with expenses.