Africa: TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup Preliminary Round Second Leg Fixtures Provide Enticing Battles Across the Continent

What the report says

CAF says the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup 2026/27 first preliminary round reaches its return legs this weekend, with clubs across Africa trying to secure places in the next stage. The matches are scheduled mainly for 11-13 September, with one tie listed for 16 September. According to the publisher’s report, the 24 winners will advance to join eight exempted clubs — including Al Ahly, USM Alger, CR Belouizdad, AS FAR, Raja Casablanca, AS Maniema Union and Kaizer Chiefs — in the second preliminary round.

Several teams enter the second leg with clear advantages. Singida Black Stars of Tanzania, ASKO de Kara of Togo, ZED FC of Egypt, Al Ahly Tripoli of Libya and El Kanemi Warriors of Nigeria all won their opening matches by comfortable margins. Other sides, including Primeiro de Agosto, Kabuscorp de Palanca, Red Arrows, Durban City, Black Bulls, Kitara FC, AS Real Bamako and ES Zarzis, also carry leads into the return fixtures. By contrast, ties such as CS Sfaxien against Shooting Stars, Hafia FC against AS Douanes, Tusker FC against Al Ahli Madani and CO Korhogo against AS PSI remain open after close first legs.

The report highlights the knockout format’s wider stakes, including a USD 100,000 solidarity payment for clubs eliminated in the preliminary rounds and a USD 4 million prize for the eventual champions. That context underlines why the return legs matter: teams are not only fighting for progression, but also for financial support and a path toward the group stage of one of CAF’s major club competitions.