CAF Champions League: Giants under pressure as dramatic first legs set up decisive return matches

By Amaechi Agbo

Some of Africa’s biggest clubs face a battle to keep their continental ambitions alive after a weekend of surprises in the CAF Champions League 2026/27, with defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns held and four-time winners Espérance suffering a shock defeat ahead of the decisive Second Preliminary Round return legs.
Libya’s Swehly stunned Espérance 1-0, Nigeria’s Rangers International defeated Algeria’s MC Alger 2-0 and Zimbabwe’s Scottland FC overcame Angolan giants Petro Atlético by the same scoreline in results that have transformed the race for places in the group stage.
While Tanzania’s Young Africans, Morocco’s RS Berkane and Sudan’s Al Hilal Omdurman established commanding advantages, several other heavyweight clubs face difficult assignments when the return fixtures take place from 23–25 October.
Fifteen first-leg matches were completed over the weekend, with the outstanding encounter between Equatorial Guinea’s 15 de Agosto and Tanzania’s Simba SC to be played on Wednesday.
The 16 winners of the Second Preliminary Round ties will advance to the group stage, scheduled to begin at the end of November.
One of the weekend’s biggest surprises came in Misrata, where Libya’s Swehly defeated four-time African champions Espérance 1-0 as the Tunisian giants must now produce a strong response at home to avoid an early exit.
Defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns also face an important second leg after being held to a 0-0 draw by Angola’s Wiliete in Lubango.
Rangers International produced one of the most impressive results of the opening legs, defeating Algeria’s MC Alger 2-0 in Abeokuta.
Zimbabwe’s Scottland FC also made headlines with a 2-0 home victory over Angola’s Petro Atlético as former internationals Khama Billiat and Knowledge Musona scored to give them the important victory.
Tanzania’s Young Africans produced the most emphatic away win of the round, defeating Madagascar’s CFFA 4-0 while Morocco’s RS Berkane also enjoyed a successful start with a 2-0 away victory over Sierra Leone’s Star Sport Academy.
Sudan’s Al Hilal Omdurman returned from Ethiopia with a 2-0 victory over Sidama Bunna and Cameroon’s Colombe Sportive were another side to impress away from home, defeating Senegal’s Teungueth FC 2-0 in Dakar.
The four clubs will now look to protect their leads and complete qualification for the group stage.
Egypt’s Zamalek and Pyramids FC both recorded 1-0 away victories to strengthen their qualification prospects while South Africa’s Orlando Pirates also claimed a valuable away victory, defeating Namibia’s African Stars 1-0.
The three clubs will be hoping to capitalise on home advantage in the decisive fixtures.
Five-time African champions TP Mazembe face a difficult trip to Tunisia after being held to a 1-1 draw by Club Africain in Lubumbashi.
Côte d’Ivoire’s ASEC Mimosas also secured a valuable 1-1 away draw against Morocco’s MAS de Fès. Another closely contested encounter saw Côte d’Ivoire’s FC San Pedro defeat Mauritania’s FC Nouadhibou 2-1, leaving both sides with plenty to play for in Mauritania.
Guinea’s Horoya AC will travel to face Sudan’s Al Merriekh with a narrow 1-0 advantage following their victory in Conakry.
However, with only one goal separating the sides, the return encounter promises to be another closely contested battle.
The results across the continent have left several established clubs facing the prospect of early elimination, while ambitious challengers have placed themselves within reach of the group stage
With the decisive return legs approaching, the competition is set for another weekend of high-stakes encounters as the remaining clubs pursue places among Africa’s final 16.