* Winners of the first legs will move into the 2nd preliminary round, where some of the continent’s highest-ranked clubs await
* CAF will provide clubs eliminated in the Preliminary Rounds with a US$100,000 subvention to assist with travel and other logistical costs
* As part of the continued investment aimed at supporting clubs competing in the continent’s interclub competitions
Maravi Express
The CAF Champions League 2026/27 1st preliminary round moves into its decisive return legs going into this weekend — with Simba SC, TP Mazembe, Pyramids FC, Al Hilal, Atlético Petróleos among established names carrying valuable away victories.
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Tanzanian side Simba SC returned home from Malawi with a lone-goal advantage following their 1-0 victory against Mighty Wanderers, while five-time African champions TP Mazembe also secured an important 1-0 away victory, defeating Ghana’s Medeama SC ahead of their defence of the lead in Lubumbashi.
The Nomads held their first training session at KMC Complex in Dar es Salaam this morning ahead of the second leg
Egyptian side, Pyramids FC are firmly in control of their tie after they defeated Kenyan champions Gor Mahia 2-0 in Nairobi, while Sudan’s Al Hilal Omdurman are in an even stronger position following an impressive 2-0 victory away to Burundi’s Aigle Noir.
Angolan heavyweights Atlético Petróleos recorded the same scoreline away to Mozambique’s UD do Songo, while Senegal’s Teungueth FC won 1-0 at FC Canchungo of Guinea-Bissau.
The winners over the two legs move into the 2nd Preliminary Round, where some of the continent’s highest-ranked clubs await.
Egyptian giants Zamalek also have an away advantage after winning 2-1 against AS Port in Djibouti and will look to finish the job when they host the return fixture.
Angola’s Wiliete produced one of the most emphatic results, defeating Seychelles representatives Foresters FC 4-0 to put themselves in a commanding position ahead of their return match.
The Nomads first leg at Bingu National Stadium last Sunday
Morocco’s Maghreb de Fès also made a powerful start, recording a 4-1 victory over Burkina Faso’s Rahimo FC.
Gabonese side AS Mangasport will travel to Namibia with a two-goal advantage after defeating African Stars 3-1, while Madagascar’s CFFA recorded a 2-0 victory against Lesotho’s Lijabatho.
While some teams have established clear advantages, several of the weekend’s most intriguing contests remain completely open.
South Sudan’s El Merriekh Bentiu, Algeria’s JS Saoura and Libya’s Swehly SC also take 1-0 advantages into their respective return fixtures.
Aigles du Congo made a memorable start to their CAF Interclub campaign with a 1-0 victory against Rwanda’s APR FC, with Soze Zemanga scoring the first continental goal in the club’s history.
Mauritian debutants La Cure Waves produced one of the notable performances of the opening round by holding South African giants Orlando Pirates to a goalless draw.
The task becomes considerably tougher in the return match in South Africa, but the Mauritian champions travel knowing that they remain firmly in the contest after their first-ever Champions League appearance.
With most of the 2nd preliminary round places now just 90 minutes – or potentially more – away, the return fixtures are expected to deliver another round of high-stakes continental football.
Confederation of African Football (CAF) will provide clubs eliminated in the preliminary rounds with a US$100,000 subvention to assist with travel and other logistical costs — part of the continued investment aimed at supporting clubs competing in the continent’s interclub competitions.
The ultimate reward remains significant, with the club crowned CAF Champions League winners at the end of the season set to receive a record US$6 million.—Reporting by CAFonline; edited by Duncan Mlanjira, Maravi Express
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