The battle for places in the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup 2026/27 group stage has taken a dramatic turn, with several of Africa’s established clubs facing elimination while ambitious challengers stand on the brink of qualification following an eventful weekend of Second Preliminary Round first-leg matches.

Libya’s Al Ahly Tripoli and DR Congo’s AS Maniema Union produced commanding away victories, while Zambia’s Red Arrows stunned South Africa’s Kaizer Chiefs and Mozambique’s Black Bulls delivered an impressive performance against Rwanda’s Rayon Sports.

Al Ahly of Egypt also staged a second-half comeback to defeat Uganda’s Kitara, but Morocco’s Raja Club Athletic and Tunisia’s CS Sfaxien were held to draws, leaving their qualification hopes dependent on next weekend’s return fixtures.

With the decisive second legs scheduled for 23–25 October, the competition is approaching a crucial stage as clubs seek to secure places in the 16-team group stage.

Algeria’s USM Alger have already secured qualification following the confirmed withdrawal of Equatorial Guinea’s Panthers FC, leaving 15 other group-stage places to be decided.

Al Ahly Tripoli produced one of the most convincing performances of the opening legs, defeating Ethiopia’s Welwalo Adigrat 4-0 away from home while DR Congo’s AS Maniema Union also delivered an impressive attacking display, defeating Angola’s Kabuscorp 4-1 in Luanda.

One of the weekend’s notable results came in Zambia, where Red Arrows defeated South African giants Kaizer Chiefs 1-0.

Alassane Diarra scored the winner in the 76th minute, heading home a corner delivered by Ackim Mumba to give the Zambian club an important advantage for the return match.

Meanwhile, giants Al Ahly recovered from a goal down to defeat Uganda’s Kitara 2-1 away from home to give the Egyptians a narrow advantage while Mozambique’s Black Bulls strengthened their qualification prospects with a 2-0 victory over Rayon Sports in Rwanda.

Mali’s AS Real Bamako also secured an important away victory, defeating Tunisia’s ES Zarzis 3-1 with Tanzania’s Singida Black Stars continuing the trend of away victories, defeating Kenya’s Tusker FC 1-0.

Angola’s Primeiro de Agosto were also victorious after defeating DR Congo’s DC Virunga 2-1 in Kinshasa but Morocco’s Raja Club Athletic were denied an away victory after Nigeria’s El Kanemi Warriors fought back to secure a 2-2 draw.

Raja will now host the return fixture in Casablanca, where the two-time CAF Confederation Cup winners will seek to avoid an early exit.

Three-time champions CS Sfaxien also face a decisive home encounter after drawing 1-1 with Côte d’Ivoire’s AF Amadou Diallo in Abidjan.

Morocco’s AS FAR were held to a goalless draw by CO Korhogo in Côte d’Ivoire, leaving the return fixture in Rabat to determine which side progresses.

Egypt’s ZED FC must also produce a strong performance away from home after being held to a 1-1 draw by Tanzania’s Azam FC.

South Africa’s Durban City secured a 3-1 victory over Mauritius’ AS Port Louis 2000 to establish a two-goal advantage ahead of the return fixture.

Mali’s FC Diarra were also victorious at home, defeating Togo’s ASKO de Kara 3-2 in an entertaining five-goal encounter.

Diarra will travel to Togo with a narrow advantage, while ASKO will be seeking to complete a comeback in front of their home supporters.

Algeria’s USM Alger have secured their place in the group stage following the confirmed withdrawal of Equatorial Guinea’s Panthers FC.

For the remaining clubs, the return fixtures promise another demanding weekend of continental football.

While Al Ahly Tripoli, Maniema Union and several other sides hold substantial advantages, narrow victories and draws have left numerous ties open.

The decisive encounters will determine which clubs join USM Alger in the group stage of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup 2026/27.

CAF Confederation Cup 2026/27 – Second Preliminary Round Results

First legs: 16–18 October 2026

·       ZED FC (Egypt) 1-1 Azam FC (Tanzania)

·       Welwalo Adigrat (Ethiopia) 0-4 Al Ahly Tripoli (Libya)

·       Kitara FC (Uganda) 1-2 Al Ahly FC (Egypt)

·       Red Arrows (Zambia) 1-0 Kaizer Chiefs (South Africa)

·       ES Zarzis (Tunisia) 1-3 AS Real Bamako (Mali)

·       CO Korhogo (Côte d’Ivoire) 0-0 AS FAR (Morocco)

·       AF Amadou Diallo (Côte d’Ivoire) 1-1 CS Sfaxien (Tunisia)

·       Rayon Sports (Rwanda) 0-2 Black Bulls (Mozambique)

·       Tusker FC (Kenya) 0-1 Singida Black Stars (Tanzania)

·       Durban City (South Africa) 3-1 AS Port Louis 2000 (Mauritius)

·       DC Virunga (DR Congo) 1-2 Primeiro de Agosto (Angola)

·       El Kanemi Warriors (Nigeria) 2-2 Raja Club Athletic (Morocco)

·       Kabuscorp (Angola) 1-4 AS Maniema Union (DR Congo)

·       FC Diarra (Mali) 3-2 ASKO de Kara (Togo)

Qualification confirmed

·       Panthers FC (Equatorial Guinea) – USM Alger (Algeria): USM Alger qualify following the withdrawal of Panthers FC.