The journey to the second round of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup will be decided this weekend as the return legs of the first preliminary round get underway.
After an exciting start last weekend, clubs across Africa are now gearing up for decisive matches that will determine who advances to the next stage of these prestigious competitions.
The 2024/25 season kicked off with thrilling encounters, despite the absence of the higher-ranked clubs and defending champions, who were not in action.
The quality of football showcased has remained high, illustrating the narrowing gap between Africa’s traditional football powerhouses and the rest of the continent’s ambitious clubs.
Friday afternoon’s TotalEnergies CAF Champions League action sees Nigeria’s Enugu Rangers FC hosting US Zilimadjou of the Comoros.
Enugu Rangers secured a 1-0 victory in the first leg and will be looking to capitalize on their home advantage to progress to the next round. A solid defensive performance will be crucial as they aim to maintain their slender lead.
Meanwhile, Somalia’s Dekadaha FC find themselves in a favorable position ahead of their second leg against Djibouti’s Arta Solar7.
Dekadaha’s 2-0 away victory last weekend has given them a comfortable cushion as they play the home leg, and they will be keen to avoid any slip-ups that could derail their progress.
In one of Friday’s marquee matchups, former CAF Champions League winners Orlando Pirates will look to redeem themselves after a goalless draw against Madagascar’s Disciples FC in the first leg.
Pirates, who played away from home last week, will now welcome their opponents to Orlando Stadium. The South African side is expected to leverage their home advantage and secure a victory that would see them advance to the next round.
The weekend also features two high-profile matches in Morocco. AS FAR will take on Remo Stars of Nigeria, hoping to overturn their narrow first-leg defeat.
Meanwhile, Raja Casablanca, one of Africa’s storied clubs, will play host to ASGNN FC of Niger. Both Moroccan teams are determined to make strong statements in front of their home fans and secure their spots in the next round.
In the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup, several return legs promise to deliver action-packed football. Zambia’s Zesco United will be looking to bounce back after a narrow 1-0 defeat to Zimbabwe’s Dynamos FC last weekend.
With the second leg set to take place on home soil, Zesco United will aim to turn the tables and secure a victory that would see them move on to the next round.
Another enticing matchup is the rematch between Togo’s ASCK and Niger’s AS Fan. The first leg ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw, setting the stage for a nail-biting encounter this weekend. Both teams will be eager to find the winning edge and continue their continental campaigns.
In Southern Africa, Stellenbosch FC, making their debut in continental football, hold a comfortable advantage going into their second leg against Eswatini’s Nsingizini Hotspurs.
Stellenbosch’s 3-0 win in the first leg has given them a significant cushion, and they will look to maintain their momentum and progress to the next round.
This weekend’s matches in both the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup will be pivotal for many clubs as they seek to confirm their places in the second round of the preliminary stages.
With several ties finely poised and others with teams looking to overturn first-leg deficits, fans across Africa can expect a weekend filled with drama, excitement, and top-quality football.
As clubs vie for continental glory, the return legs promise to offer a glimpse into the fierce competition that lies ahead in one of the most prestigious stages of African football.
Whether it’s defending a lead, overturning a deficit, or trying to make history, each team knows that every minute on the pitch this weekend could shape their destiny in this season’s CAF Interclub competitions.
