The 2026/27 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League second preliminary round begins this weekend, with 32 clubs competing for the 16 available places in the group stage of Africa’s premier club football competition.
The first-leg matches will be played from Friday, October 16, to Sunday, October 18, while the return fixtures are scheduled for October 23–25.
Defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns, four-time winners Espérance Sportive de Tunis, Egyptian giants Zamalek, five-time champions TP Mazembe and South African side Orlando Pirates are among the leading contenders seeking to advance to the group stage.
Rangers International Host MC Alger
Nigerian champions Rangers International will welcome Algerian giants MC Alger to the Moshood Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta on Sunday, October 18.
The encounter, scheduled to kick off at 2 p.m. Nigerian time, represents a crucial test for the Flying Antelopes as they seek to secure an advantage before the return leg in Algeria.
Rangers will be counting on home support to help them overcome their North African opponents and move closer to a place in the group stage.
However, MC Alger will be equally determined to secure a positive result away from home ahead of the decisive second leg.
The fixture is one of the most anticipated matches involving Nigerian clubs this weekend, with Rangers carrying the country’s hopes in the competition.
Mamelodi Sundowns Begin Title Defence Against Wiliete.
Defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns will begin their campaign with an away encounter against Angola’s Wiliete on Sunday.
Wiliete booked their place in the second preliminary round after recording a convincing 5-0 aggregate victory over Seychelles’ Foresters FC in the opening round.
The Angolan side will be eager to continue their impressive form, but Sundowns will enter the contest determined to establish an early advantage in their bid to retain the continental title.
The South African champions remain among the major contenders for the trophy and will be keen to avoid an upset against their Angolan opponents.
Zamalek, Pyramids FC Face Away Tests
Egyptian clubs Zamalek and Pyramids FC will also be in action on Friday as they pursue qualification for the group stage.
Zamalek face a challenging trip to Rwanda to meet APR FC, who produced an impressive comeback in the previous round.
The Egyptian giants advanced after recording a commanding 6-1 aggregate victory over Djibouti’s AS Port and will be hoping to carry that form into Friday’s encounter.
Pyramids FC, meanwhile, will travel to South Sudan to face El Merriekh Bentiu.
Pyramids produced one of the most convincing performances in the first preliminary round and will aim to maintain their momentum against their South Sudanese opponents.
Both Egyptian sides will be looking to establish an advantage in the first leg before completing their respective ties at home.
TP Mazembe and Club Africain Set for Continental Clash
One of the standout fixtures of the round will take place in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo, where TP Mazembe host Tunisia’s Club Africain on Saturday, October 17.
Five-time African champions TP Mazembe will face a Club Africain side determined to demonstrate its continental pedigree in a contest between two clubs with distinguished histories.
Both teams will be seeking a first-leg advantage to strengthen their chances of progressing to the group stage ahead of the return fixture in Tunisia.
The encounter is expected to attract considerable attention because of the clubs’ experience and ambitions in African football.
Orlando Pirates, Espérance and Young Africans in Action
South African giants Orlando Pirates will travel to Namibia to face African Stars on Saturday.
The Buccaneers will be aiming to secure a positive result away from home as they continue their pursuit of continental success.
Moroccan side RS Berkane will begin their campaign away to Sierra Leone’s Star Sport Academy on Friday after receiving a bye into the second preliminary round.
Four-time champions Espérance Sportive de Tunis will travel to Libya on Sunday to face Al-Swehly, with the Tunisian giants seeking to take another step towards the group stage.
Tanzania’s Young Africans will face Madagascar’s CFFA on Saturday, while compatriots Simba SC will travel to Equatorial Guinea to meet 15 de Agosto.
More Exciting Fixtures Across Africa
Elsewhere, Morocco’s Maghreb Fès will host Côte d’Ivoire’s ASEC Mimosas on Sunday in another intriguing contest between two sides seeking a place in the group stage.
Ivorian club San Pedro will welcome Mauritania’s FC Nouadhibou on Saturday.
Guinea’s Horoya AC will face Sudanese giants Al-Merriekh on Sunday after eliminating Algeria’s JS Saoura in the previous round.
Ethiopia’s Sidama Bunna will host Sudan’s Al Hilal Omdurman, while Zimbabwe’s Scottland FC welcome Angola’s Petro Atlético.
Senegal’s Teungueth FC will also take on Cameroon’s Colombe Sportive on Sunday as the race for group-stage qualification intensifies.
With established continental powers facing ambitious challengers, the second preliminary round promises competitive encounters across Africa.
CAF to Provide $100,000 Support for Eliminated Clubs
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) will provide $100,000 in financial support to clubs eliminated during the preliminary rounds of its interclub competitions.
The funding is intended to assist the affected teams with travel and logistical expenses associated with participating in continental competitions.
The measure forms part of CAF’s efforts to support participating clubs and ease the financial burden of competing in its interclub tournaments.
CAF Champions League Second Preliminary Round Fixtures
Friday, October 16
El Merriekh Bentiu (South Sudan) vs Pyramids FC (Egypt)
APR FC (Rwanda) vs Zamalek (Egypt)
Star Sport Academy (Sierra Leone) vs RS Berkane (Morocco)
Saturday, October 17
CFFA (Madagascar) vs Young Africans (Tanzania)
African Stars (Namibia) vs Orlando Pirates (South Africa)
TP Mazembe (DR Congo) vs Club Africain (Tunisia)
15 de Agosto (Equatorial Guinea) vs Simba SC (Tanzania)
San Pedro (Côte d’Ivoire) vs FC Nouadhibou (Mauritania)
Sunday, October 18
Rangers International (Nigeria) vs MC Alger (Algeria)
Scottland FC (Zimbabwe) vs Petro Atlético (Angola)
Sidama Bunna (Ethiopia) vs Al Hilal Omdurman (Sudan)
Wiliete (Angola) vs Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
Horoya AC (Guinea) vs Al-Merriekh (Sudan)
Al-Swehly (Libya) vs Espérance Sportive de Tunis (Tunisia)
Teungueth FC (Senegal) vs Colombe Sportive (Cameroon)
Maghreb Fès (Morocco) vs ASEC Mimosas (Côte d’Ivoire)
The first-leg matches will run from October 16 to 18, with the return fixtures scheduled for October 23 to 25.
At the end of the two-legged ties, 16 clubs will secure qualification for the group stage of the 2026/27 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League, bringing them closer to the ultimate prize in African club football.
