The CAF Champions League 2026/27 fixtures move into the decisive return legs this week, with Rivers United and several other African clubs looking to secure places in the Second Preliminary Round.
Pyramids FC, TP Mazembe, Simba SC, Al Hilal and Atlético Petróleos are among the established clubs carrying away victories into their second legs, while several other ties remain open after competitive first-leg matches.
The winners of the two-legged ties will advance to the Second Preliminary Round, where some of Africa’s highest-ranked clubs await.
African Giants Take First-Leg Advantage
Pyramids FC are firmly in control after defeating Kenyan champions Gor Mahia 2-0 in Nairobi. Five-time African champions TP Mazembe also secured a valuable away win, beating Ghana’s Medeama SC 1-0 in Tarkwa.
Simba SC return home with a 1-0 advantage over Malawi’s Mighty Wanderers, while Atlético Petróleos recorded the same scoreline away to Mozambique’s UD do Songo. Senegal’s Teungueth FC also won 1-0 at Guinea-Bissau’s FC Canchungo.
Al Hilal Omdurman have an even stronger advantage after a 2-0 away victory against Burundi’s Aigle Noir. Zamalek also have an away advantage after beating AS Port of Djibouti 2-1.
Other first-leg winners included Angola’s Wiliete, who defeated Foresters FC 4-0, and Morocco’s Maghreb de Fès, who beat Burkina Faso’s Rahimo FC 4-1. AS Mangasport defeated African Stars 3-1, while CFFA beat Lijabatho 2-0.
Several Ties Remain Open
Aigles du Congo made history with a 1-0 win over Rwanda’s APR FC, with Soze Zemanga scoring the first continental goal in the club’s history.
Mauritian debutants La Cure Waves also produced one of the opening round’s notable results by holding South African giants Orlando Pirates to a goalless draw.
The result leaves La Cure Waves in the contest, although the return match in South Africa will present a much tougher challenge.
Rivers United will also need to finish the job when they host FC San Pedro on Sunday after the Nigerian club secured a 1-1 draw in the first leg. Rangers International face Sobemap FC on Friday after their opening match also ended 1-1.
Full First Preliminary Round Return Fixtures
Thursday, September 10
15:00: Foresters FC vs Wiliete de Benguela
Friday, September 11
14:00: Sobemap FC vs Rangers Int’l FC
16:00: APR FC vs Les Aigles du Congo
Saturday, September 12
13:00: Al Hilal SC vs Aigle Noir FC
13:00: Heegan SC vs El Merriekh SC Bentiu
13:00: African Stars vs AS Mangasport
13:00: Power Dynamos FC vs Al Merreikh SC
13:00: Orlando Pirates FC vs La Cure Waves SC
13:00: Nsingizini Hotspurs vs Scottland FC
14:00: Lijabatho FC vs CFFA
14:00: TP Mazembe vs Medeama SC
15:00: Atlético Petróleos vs UD do Songo
15:00: Rahimo FC vs MAS Fès
16:00: Young Africans SC vs Gaborone United FC
16:00: Djoliba AC de Bamako vs Club Africain
16:30: Medina United FC vs Star Sport Academy
17:00: Zamalek SC vs AS Port
19:00: MC Alger vs ASN Nigelec
Sunday, September 13
12:00: KVZ FC vs Swehly SC
13:00: Simba SC vs Mighty Wanderers
15:00: Rivers United vs FC San Pedro
16:00: Stade Malien vs Colombe Sportive DL
16:00: ASEC Mimosas vs ASCK
16:00: Sidaama Buna FC vs Aiglons FC N’Djamena
16:00: Horoya AC vs JS Saoura
17:00: Pyramids FC vs Gor Mahia FC
17:00: FC Nouadhibou vs Vipers SC
17:00: Teungueth FC vs FC Canchungo
Saturday, October 3
12:00: Fomboni FC de Moheli vs 15 de Agosto
CAF will provide clubs eliminated in the preliminary rounds with a USD 100,000 subvention to help with travel and other logistical costs. The eventual Champions League winners will receive a record USD 6 million, adding another major incentive as clubs battle for progression.
