The TotalEnergies CAF Champions League 2026/27 is approaching a pivotal moment, with the Second Preliminary Round set to take place across two weekends in October, offering 16 berths in the group stage to the clubs that come through.

First legs are scheduled for 16–18 October, with return matches following on 23–25 October. The 16 round winners will advance to the group stage, which gets underway at the end of November.

Defending champions enter the fray

Mamelodi Sundowns, the reigning continental champions, begin their title defence against Angola's Wiliete Sport Clube de Benguela. Wiliete announced themselves with force in the First Preliminary Round, eliminating Foresters FC of Seychelles 5-0 on aggregate — Angola international Mabululu contributing three of those five goals.

Four-time champions Espérance Sportive de Tunis, who received a bye into this stage, enter against Libya's Al-Swehly, a side that brushed aside KVZ of Zanzibar 4-0 on aggregate. Morocco's RS Berkane, also given a bye, open their campaign against Star Sport Academy of Sierra Leone.

Egyptian clubs in confident form

Zamalek were among the most commanding teams of the opening round, posting a 6-1 aggregate victory over AS Port of Djibouti, including a 4-0 win in the return leg. They now face Rwanda's APR FC, who produced a remarkable comeback — overturning a 1-0 first-leg defeat with a 3-0 win in Kigali to advance 3-1 on aggregate.

Pyramids FC were equally ruthless, beating Gor Mahia 2-0 away before dismantling them 5-1 at home to complete a 7-1 aggregate triumph. Their Second Preliminary Round opponents are South Sudan's El Merriekh Bentiu, who eliminated Heegan FC 4-0 on aggregate.

TP Mazembe vs Club Africain headlines the round

The standout fixture of the Second Preliminary Round brings together two former African champions: TP Mazembe of DR Congo, five-time winners of the competition, and Tunisia's Club Africain. Mazembe arrived here in convincing fashion, defeating Ghana's Medeama 1-0 away and 3-1 at home for a 4-1 aggregate. Club Africain's route was tighter — a 1-0 win over Djoliba followed by a 2-2 draw in Mali gave them a 3-2 aggregate passage.

Simba SC, Rangers, and the rest

Tanzania's Simba SC produced one of the First Preliminary Round's most emphatic performances, winning 1-0 away at Mighty Wanderers before thrashing them 6-1 in the return to advance 7-1. They face the winners of the outstanding tie between Equatorial Guinea's 15 de Agosto — who lead 4-0 from the first leg — and Fomboni FC of Comoros, with the return scheduled for 3 October.

Nigeria's Rangers International, who survived a gruelling tie against AS Sobemap of Benin on penalties, will travel to face Simba's compatriots in what shapes up as a tough assignment. Meanwhile, MC Alger face FC San Pedro after a demolition of ASN Nigelec — 5-0 in the second leg — while Morocco's MAS de Fès take on ASEC Mimosas of Côte d'Ivoire.

Elsewhere, South Africa's Orlando Pirates, who beat La Cure Waves of Mauritius 3-1 on aggregate, meet Namibia's African Stars. Algeria's Al-Merrikh face Guinea's Horoya AC, who themselves came from behind to beat JS Saoura 3-1 in their second leg. Young Africans of Tanzania battle Madagascar's CFFA, and Al-Hilal Omdurman travel to face Sidama Bunna in Ethiopia.

Record prize money on the line

Beyond continental glory, the clubs are competing for a record prize pool — the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League winners receive $6 million. CAF has also confirmed that clubs eliminated in the Preliminary Rounds will receive $100,000 each to help cover travel and logistical expenses, a measure designed to reduce the financial burden of continental participation.