Top tier African clubs across the continent are gearing up for the return leg of the preliminary round of the CAF Champions League, this weekend, with return leg matches taking centre stage a week after the respective first leg fixtures were played.
The second leg of the first preliminary round of the CAF Champions League kicked off on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, across several venues on the continent. The fixtures will run through to Sunday, October 5, featuring high-stakes showdowns for clubs still in the hunt.
Ties still up for grabs
MC Alger and RS Berkane will need strong home performances to avoid an early exit. The Algerian side couldn’t break the deadlock against Fassell FC in Liberia (0-0) and will be under pressure at the 5-Juillet Stadium. Meanwhile, RS Berkane were held to a draw by ASC Kara in Togo (1-1). The Moroccans will host the return leg on September 27 in Berkane.
Favorites in a commanding position
Orlando Pirates, Espérance de Tunis, AS FAR Rabat, and Stade Malien have taken a big step toward qualification after convincing wins in the first leg. The South African club cruised past Lioli FC (3-0), while the Blood and Gold defeated Niger’s AS FAN by the same margin. Stade Malien got the better of Tempête Mocaf (2-0), and AS FAR controlled proceedings against Real Banjul (2-0). These sides head into the return leg with a comfortable advantage.
Here is the full schedule for the second leg of the 2025/2026 CAF Champions League preliminary round
Wednesday, September 24
16:00 GMT: Stade d’Abidjan vs Côte d’Or
Friday, September 26
15:00 GMT: Zilimadjou vs Remo Stars
Saturday, September 27
11:00 GMT: ASAS vs Aigle Noir
13:00 GMT: Black Bulls vs Leopards
13:00 GMT: Silver Strickers vs Elgeco Plus
13:00 GMT: Orlando Pirates vs Lioli
13:00 GMT: St Eloi Lupopo vs Al-Merreikh (first leg)
13:15 GMT: Mlandege vs Ethiopian Insurance
15:00 GMT: Young Africans vs Wiliete
16:00 GMT: Petro Luanda vs Cercle de Joachim
16:00 GMT: Vipers SC vs African Stars
16:30 GMT: Stade Malien vs Tempête Mocaf
16:30 GMT: Horoya AC vs Al Hilal Benghazi
17:00 GMT: Espérance Tunis vs AS FAN
19:00 GMT: AS FAR Rabat vs Real Banjul
19:00 GMT: MC Alger vs Fassell FC
20:00 GMT: RS Berkane vs ASC Kara
Sunday, September 28
13:00 GMT: Simba SC vs Gaborone United
13:00 GMT: Nsingizini Hotspurs vs Simba Bhora
14:30 GMT: Mangasport vs Rahimo FC
15:00 GMT: Police FC vs Mogadishu City
15:00 GMT: Rivers United vs Aigles du Congo
16:00 GMT: US Monastir vs East End Lions
16:00 GMT: ASEC Mimosas vs Power Dynamos
16:00 GMT: Al-Hilal Omdurman vs Jamus
17:00 GMT: ASC Jaraaf vs Colombe du Dja et Lobo
18:00 GMT: Al Ahly Tripoli vs Dadjè FC
19:00 GMT: Nouadhibou FC vs Fundacion Bata
19:00 GMT: JS Kabylie vs Bibiani GoldStars
Wednesday, October 1
12:00 GMT: APR FC vs Pyramids FC (first leg)
Saturday, October 4
16:00 GMT: Al-Merreikh vs St Eloi Lupopo (second leg)
Sunday, October 5
17:00 GMT: Pyramids FC vs APR FC (second leg)