CAF Confederation Cup: Al Ahly, missing the Champions League for the first time since 2003, wins 2-1 in Uganda

Al Ahly secured a 2-1 victory on the pitch of Kitara FC on October 17, 2026, in Uganda, during the first leg of the second preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup. The Ugandan club had, however, led 1-0 at halftime.

According to Africa Top Sports, Wahab opened the scoring for Kitara in the 31st minute. The Egyptians waited until the second half to respond: Omar El Saaiy equalized in the 67th minute, before Zizo converted a penalty in the 82nd minute to secure the win for the visitors.

An Egyptian giant in the continent's second-tier competition

The match was notable first and foremost for the setting. Al Ahly is competing in the Confederation Cup for the first time since 2003, having failed to secure a ticket to the Champions League. According to AfricaFootUnited, the Cairo club finished the Egyptian league in third place with 53 points, behind Zamalek and Pyramids, who claimed the two qualifying spots.

For a club accustomed to continental heights, the penalty is harsh. It also serves as a reminder that the hierarchy of African football is never set in stone, and that the Egyptian league has become competitive enough to relegate its most renowned club to the CAF's second-tier competition.

Kitara held on for a half, the return leg remains to be played

On the Ugandan side, the evening was far from a humiliation. Kitara FC, which is experiencing this level against one of the continent's biggest names, led for more than half an hour and returns home with only a one-goal deficit. The club therefore retains a chance to turn the tie around in the return leg, the date of which was not specified by the source.

Young Africans get the job done in Madagascar

On the same day, in the African Champions League, Tanzania's Young Africans crushed CFFA 4-0 in Madagascar, in the first leg of the second preliminary round. Cheikh Touré got the Wananchi off to a start in the first half, followed by goals from Kangwanda, Mudathir Yahya, and Max Nzengeli after the break, reports Africa Top Sports.

The return leg is scheduled for October 21, 2026, at the Azam Complex Stadium in Dar es Salaam. With a four-goal lead, the Tanzanian club has practically secured its ticket to the next stage of the competition.

These preliminary rounds are the time of year when clubs from Uganda, Madagascar, or Mali cross paths with the giants from Cairo, Tunis, or Johannesburg. It receives little media coverage, but this is where the real expansion of African club football takes place.