Enugu Rangers, Young Africans, Pyramids FC, Zamalek and Orlando Pirates are among the clubs that strengthened their hopes of reaching the 2026/27 CAF Champions League group stage after the second preliminary-round first-leg matches.

The opening fixtures produced important victories for several continental heavyweights, while defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns were held to a goalless draw away to Angola’s Wiliete.

Nigeria’s Rangers International recorded one of the standout results, defeating Algerian giants MC Alger 2-0 despite playing with 10 men for most of the encounter. The first-leg matches were played from October 16 to 18, 2026, with the return fixtures scheduled for October 23–25. <Link url=”https://www.cafonline.com/news/caf-announces-match-calendar-for-totalenergies-caf-champions-league-2026-27-and-totalenergies-caf-confederation-cup-2026-27-seasons/” title=”CAF’s official competition calendar”/> confirms the schedule.

CAF Champions League Second Preliminary Round Results

The following first-leg results were recorded in the supplied match list and reported by Ahram Online. <Link url=”https://english.ahram.org.eg/newscontent/6/54/580054/sports/africa/caf-champions-league-fixtures-qualification-%E2%80%93-nd-p.aspx” title=”See the full match results”/>.

Date	Match	Result
Friday, October 16	El Merriekh Bentiu vs Pyramids FC	0–1
Friday, October 16	APR FC vs Zamalek	0–1
Saturday, October 17	CFFA vs Young Africans	0–4
Saturday, October 17	African Stars vs Orlando Pirates	0–1
Saturday, October 17	TP Mazembe vs Club Africain	1–1
Saturday, October 17	San-Pédro vs Nouadhibou	2–1
Saturday, October 17	Star Sport Academy vs RS Berkane	0–2
Sunday, October 18	Scottland FC vs Petro de Luanda	2–0
Sunday, October 18	Enugu Rangers vs MC Alger	2–0
Sunday, October 18	Sidama Coffee vs Al-Hilal	0–2
Sunday, October 18	Wiliete vs Mamelodi Sundowns	0–0
Sunday, October 18	Horoya vs Al-Merrikh	1–0
Sunday, October 18	Asswehly vs Espérance de Tunis	1–0
Sunday, October 18	Teungueth FC vs Colombe Sportive	0–2
Sunday, October 18	Maghreb Fès vs ASEC Mimosas	1–1

Remaining fixture: 15 de Agosto vs Simba SC, listed for October 20.

Rangers Make Statement Against MC Alger

Rangers International delivered a major boost to Nigerian football by defeating MC Alger 2-0 in the first leg at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta.

The Flying Antelopes were reduced to 10 players in the 13th minute after goalkeeper Lucky Jimoh received a straight red card for a foul on MC Alger’s Zakaria Naidji.

Despite the early setback, Rangers maintained their defensive discipline before finding the breakthrough late in the match.

Kenneth Igboke converted a penalty in the 84th minute, while James Emo added a second goal three minutes later to give the Nigerian champions a valuable two-goal advantage.

The result leaves Rangers in a strong position ahead of the return fixture in Algeria on October 23. However, MC Alger will have home advantage and an opportunity to overturn the deficit.

Rangers must remain organised defensively, particularly after losing their first-choice goalkeeper during the opening leg. A draw or victory in Algeria would be enough to secure qualification, while a one-goal defeat would also leave the Nigerian side ahead on aggregate.

A two-goal defeat would take the tie to the applicable tie-breaking procedure, while a defeat by three or more goals would eliminate Rangers.

Young Africans Dominate CFFA

Tanzanian giants Young Africans produced one of the most emphatic performances of the round, defeating Madagascar’s CFFA 4-0 away from home.

The result gives Young Africans a commanding advantage heading into the return fixture and puts them firmly on course for the group stage.

CFFA face a difficult challenge, needing to score at least four unanswered goals to level the aggregate score and keep their qualification hopes alive.

Young Africans, meanwhile, will look to protect their advantage and avoid unnecessary defensive errors.

Pyramids and Zamalek Secure Valuable Away Wins

Egyptian clubs Pyramids FC and Zamalek both claimed 1-0 victories away from home, strengthening their chances of progressing to the next stage.

Pyramids defeated El Merriekh Bentiu of South Sudan, with Mahmoud Saber scoring in the 30th minute.

Zamalek secured their victory against Rwanda’s APR FC through a late strike by substitute Nasser Mansi in the 90th minute, according to CAF’s match report. <Link url=”https://www.cafonline.com/caf-champions-league/news/zamalek-pyramids-claim-away-wins-to-boost-totalenergies-caf-champions-league-group-stage-hopes/” title=”Read CAF’s report on the Egyptian clubs’ victories”/>.

Both sides now have home advantage for their return fixtures in Cairo on October 24.

Pyramids will nevertheless need to manage their defensive options carefully, with two defenders reported suspended for the return match.

For APR FC, the challenge will be to produce a stronger attacking performance in Egypt after failing to score at home. Zamalek’s narrow advantage leaves the tie open, but the Egyptian side will be favourites to progress.

Orlando Pirates Take Narrow Lead

South African side Orlando Pirates defeated Namibia’s African Stars 1-0 away from home.

Thalente Moremi scored in the 78th minute to give Pirates a valuable lead ahead of the return match in South Africa.

The result puts the Buccaneers in a favourable position, but African Stars remain within reach of qualification. A single goal in the second leg could level the tie, making the return encounter important for both clubs.

Pirates will aim to use their home advantage to finish the job, while African Stars must improve their attacking output.

Sundowns Held by Wiliete

Defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns were unable to break down Wiliete in Angola, settling for a 0-0 draw in their opening match of the competition.

The South African side remains well placed to qualify, having avoided defeat away from home. However, the result gives Wiliete reason to believe they can challenge the reigning champions in the return fixture.

Sundowns will need greater attacking precision at home, while Wiliete must maintain their defensive discipline and look for opportunities to score.

The return leg is scheduled for October 23, with Sundowns expected to benefit from home support.

RS Berkane and Al-Hilal Build Two-Goal Leads

Moroccan side RS Berkane defeated Star Sport Academy 2-0, with Oussama Lamlioui scoring in the 14th and 45th minutes.

The first-half brace gives Berkane a strong advantage before the return fixture in Morocco. Star Sport Academy face a difficult task and will need a significant improvement to remain in contention.

Sudanese club Al-Hilal Omdurman also secured a 2-0 away victory, defeating Ethiopia’s Sidama Coffee.

The result places Al-Hilal in a favourable position ahead of the return match, although the Sudanese side must avoid complacency.

TP Mazembe and Club Africain Remain Level

Former African champions TP Mazembe and Tunisia’s Club Africain played out a 1-1 draw in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The result leaves the tie finely balanced ahead of the return match in Tunisia.

Both clubs have a realistic opportunity to qualify, with the second leg likely to be decisive. TP Mazembe will need to improve their away performance, while Club Africain will seek to capitalise on home advantage.

Other Results and Qualification Prospects

San-Pédro defeated Mauritania’s Nouadhibou 2-1, giving the Ivorian side a narrow advantage ahead of the return leg.

Scottland FC claimed a 2-0 win over Angola’s Petro de Luanda, putting the Zimbabwean club in a strong position. Petro de Luanda will need to score at least twice in the return fixture without conceding to level the aggregate score.

Guinea’s Horoya AC recorded a 1-0 victory over Sudan’s Al-Merrikh, while Libya’s Asswehly defeated Espérance de Tunis by the same scoreline.

The results leave Horoya and Asswehly with narrow advantages, but their opponents still have opportunities to turn the ties around.

Colombe Sportive of Cameroon also strengthened its qualification prospects with a 2-0 away win against Senegal’s Teungueth FC.

Meanwhile, Morocco’s Maghreb Fès and Côte d’Ivoire’s ASEC Mimosas drew 1-1, leaving their contest open ahead of the return fixture.

When Are the CAF Champions League Return Matches?

The second-leg fixtures are scheduled for October 23–25, 2026, with the winners advancing to the group stage, which begins in late November.

The remaining scheduled fixture involving 15 de Agosto and Simba SC is listed for October 20.

CAF’s 2026/27 competition calendar provides for 16 clubs to qualify for the group stage. The preliminary rounds therefore represent a crucial stage for teams seeking continental recognition and a share of the competition’s financial rewards.

Prospects: Who Is Best Placed to Qualify?

Based on the first-leg scorelines, the teams with the clearest advantages are Young Africans, RS Berkane, Al-Hilal, Rangers International, Scottland FC and Colombe Sportive, all of whom hold two-goal leads.

Pyramids, Zamalek and Orlando Pirates also have important advantages after winning away from home, while Sundowns remain in a competitive position following their goalless draw.

The closest contests include TP Mazembe versus Club Africain and Maghreb Fès versus ASEC Mimosas, both level at 1-1. San-Pédro, Horoya and Asswehly have narrow leads that could be overturned in the return matches.

No club has secured qualification solely on the basis of these first-leg results. The return fixtures will determine which 16 teams advance to the group stage.