AFCON 2025
The 2025–26 CAF Champions League preliminary round concluded on Sunday, 28 September, with several teams securing their places in the second round of the competition.
In East Africa, Tanzania’s Simba SC advanced with a 2–1 aggregate score after drawing 1–1 at home against Gaborone United of Botswana. Despite a 2–0 home loss to Mogadishu City, Kenya Police FC progressed on away goals, with the aggregate score tied at 3–3.
Rahimo FC of Burkina Faso advanced after a 0–0 draw at Mangasport of Gabon, winning 4–2 on penalties. Nsingizini Hotspurs of Eswatini won 4–2 on penalties after a 1–0 victory over Simba Bhora of Zimbabwe, with the aggregate score ending 1–1.
Rivers United of Nigeria progressed with a 1–0 aggregate score after defeating Aigles du Congo of DR Congo 1–0 at home. Al-Hilal Omdurman of Sudan advanced with a 1–0 aggregate score after a 1–0 home win over Jamus of South Sudan.
In North Africa, JS Kabylie of Algeria delivered a dominant performance, advancing with a 7–0 aggregate score after a 5–0 home victory over Bibiani Gold Stars of Ghana. MC Alger, under the guidance of South African coach Rhulani Mokwena, progressed with a 3–0 aggregate score after a 3–0 home win over Fassell of Liberia.
Orlando Pirates of South Africa advanced with a 7–0 aggregate score after a 4–0 home victory over Lioli FC of Lesotho. Young Africans of Tanzania progressed with a 5–0 aggregate score after a 2–0 home win over Wiliete of Angola. Espérance Tunis of Tunisia advanced with a 7–1 aggregate score after a 4–1 home victory over AS FAN of Niger.
Petro Atlético of Angola progressed with a 6–0 aggregate score after a 3–0 home win over Cercle de Joachim of Mauritius. Vipers SC of Uganda advanced with a 2–0 aggregate score after a 1–0 home win over African Stars of Namibia. Stade Malien of Mali progressed with a 7–0 aggregate score after a 2–0 home win over Tempête MOCAF of Central African Republic.
FAR Rabat of Morocco advanced with a 4–1 aggregate score after a 2–1 home win over Real Banjul of Gambia. Horoya of Guinea progressed with a 2–1 aggregate score after a 2–0 home win over Al Hilal Benghazi of Libya.
The second preliminary round of the 2025–26 CAF Champions League is scheduled to take place from 17 to 19 October 2025. The draw for this round will determine the matchups for the 16 teams that have advanced.
