CAF Champions League: Mazembe to face Club Africain, play-offs scheduled for October 16-25

African clubs will be playing for their ticket to the group stage in two weeks. The second preliminary round of the 2026-2027 CAF Champions League will take place from October 16 to 18, 2026, for the first legs, and from October 23 to 25 for the return legs, according to the schedule published by CAF. The same dates apply to the Confederation Cup.

This is the final hurdle before the group stage, with the first matchday set for November 27 to 29, 2026, also according to CAF. At the end of the journey, the governing body confirms a prize of 6 million dollars for the winner of the Champions League and 4 million for the winner of the Confederation Cup.

Promising matchups

The confrontations announced by Africa Top Sports promise several clashes. TP Mazembe, one of the most titled clubs on the continent, will face Club Africain of Tunis. Egypt's Zamalek will travel to face APR of Rwanda, while MAS Fez will host ASEC Mimosas of Abidjan in a Morocco-Ivory Coast duel. Mamelodi Sundowns, the South African champion, is set to face Wiliete de Benguela (Angola), and Espérance Sportive de Tunis will play Al-Swehly (Libya).

Still according to the same source, MC Alger will face Rangers of Nigeria, Renaissance de Berkane will play Stars Sports Academy, Orlando Pirates will take on African Stars, Pyramids FC will face El Merriekh, Petro Atlético will play Scottland, Young Africans will face CFFA, FC San Pedro will play FC Nouadhibou, Horoya AC will face Al Merreikh, and Teungueth FC will play Colombe Sportive.

The first round has already taken its toll

Twenty-six clubs emerged from the first preliminary round, played in September 2026, reports Africa Top Sports. Some did not falter: MC Alger eliminated ASN Nigelec 5-0, Pyramids FC dominated Gor Mahia 5-1, and Simba SC thrashed Mighty Wanderers 6-1. Other qualifications were decided by penalty shootouts.

In the Confederation Cup, 21 clubs passed the first round, including CS Sfaxien, who overturned a one-goal deficit by beating Shooting Stars 2-0, and AFAD of Ivory Coast, who qualified despite a 2-2 draw against East End Lions. CAF must also rule on the case of the Hafia FC vs. AS Douanes match, which was not played on September 11, 2026, as AS Douanes did not show up.

What these weeks say about African club football

These play-offs are the true thermometer of club football on the continent: teams from the Sahel, the Horn of Africa, Southern Africa, and the Maghreb face off over two matches, often with vastly different budgets. It is also where it is decided who will receive the group stage revenue, the lifeblood for clubs that must retain their best players in the face of European and Gulf leagues.