The TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup 2026/27 returns on Friday, 16 October, with 32 clubs beginning the Second Preliminary Round as the battle to reach the group stage gathers momentum across the continent.
The first-leg matches bring together former continental champions, established African clubs and emerging sides seeking to make their mark in the competition.
With just one hurdle remaining before the group stage, clubs will be looking to establish an advantage ahead of the return legs scheduled for 23–25 October, when the 16 qualifiers for the next phase will be determined.
Among the headline attractions are Algerian title holders USM Alger, Egyptian giants Al Ahly, Tunisia’s CS Sfaxien, Algeria’s CR Belouizdad, and South Africa’s Kaizer Chiefs, while several clubs that impressed in the opening round will be seeking to continue their remarkable runs.
Holders USM Alger of Algeria start their title defence campaign when they take on Panthers of Equatorial Guinea.
Egypt’s Al Ahly face Uganda’s Kitara FC as the Egyptian side return to the Confederation Cup after a lengthy absence where they had notable success in the TotalEngegies CAF Champions League. They were crowned champions back in 2014.
Tunisia’s CS Sfaxien will be among the clubs attracting considerable attention when they travel to Côte d’Ivoire to face Académie de FAD.
South Africa’s Kaizer Chiefs face Zambia’s Red Arrows, while Mali’s Real Bamako travels to Tunisia to meet ES Zarzis in a fixture that promises to test both sides’ ambitions.
Algerian giants CR Belouizdad begin their campaign with an away fixture against Mauritania’s AS Douanes, who secured qualification following a closely contested encounter with Guinea’s Hafia FC.
Tanzania’s Singida Black Stars enter the Second Preliminary Round with considerable confidence following one of the most emphatic aggregate victories of the opening stage.
They now welcome Kenya’s Tusker, who progressed after overcoming Sudan’s Al-Ahli Wad Medani 3-2 on aggregate.
Kabuscorp do Palanca were also impressive in the First Preliminary Round, and now face DR Congo’s Maniema Union, with the Angolan side seeking to translate their strong opening-round performances into another positive result.
South Africa’s Durban City will host Mauritius Port Louis while Morocco’s Raja Casablanca also travels to Nigeria to face El Kanemi Warriors.
Egypt’s ZED FC, another of the clubs to impress in the opening round, face Tanzania’s Azam FC.
Last season’s Champions League runner ups AS FAR of Morocco start their campaign when they play visitors to Ivorian CO Kohrogo, while Rwanda’s Rayon Sports entertain Mozambique’s Black Bulls.
With contrasting routes to the Second Preliminary Round, the clubs will now seek to turn their early-season form into the results needed to remain in contention for a place in the group stage.
The opening legs will provide an important indication of the challenges awaiting the competing teams before the decisive return fixtures next weekend.
CAF Confederation Cup 2026/27 – Second Preliminary Round fixtures
First legs: 16–18 October 2026
· Welwalo Adigrat (Ethiopia) vs Al Ahly Tripoli (Libya)
· ZED FC (Egypt) vs Azam FC (Tanzania)
· Kitara FC (Uganda) vs Al Ahly (Egypt)
· Red Arrows (Zambia) vs Kaizer Chiefs (South Africa)
· Zarzis (Tunisia) vs Real Bamako (Mali)
· Académie de FAD (Côte d’Ivoire) vs CS Sfaxien (Tunisia)
· Korhogo (Côte d’Ivoire) vs FAR Rabat (Morocco)
· Rayon Sports (Rwanda) vs Black Bulls (Mozambique)
· AS Douanes (Mauritania) vs CR Belouizdad (Algeria)
· Tusker FC (Kenya) vs Singida Black Stars (Tanzania)
· Durban City (South Africa) vs Port Louis (Mauritius)
· Vita Club (DR Congo) vs Primeiro de Agosto (Angola)
· El Kanemi Warriors (Nigeria) vs Raja Casablanca (Morocco)
· Kabuscorp (Angola) vs Maniema Union (DR Congo)
· FC Diarra (Mali) vs ASKO Kara (Togo)
· Panthers FC (Equatorial Guinea) vs USM Alger (Algeria)
For more information on the TotalEnergies CAF Interclub competitions, visit CAFOnline.com.
