The TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup 2026/27 reaches a pivotal stage this weekend as 32 clubs kick off the Second Preliminary Round on Friday, 16 October — with 16 group-stage berths the ultimate prize on the line.

The first legs of this round bring together some of African football's most storied names alongside determined newcomers, all separated by just one more hurdle from a place in the group stage. Return fixtures are scheduled for 23–25 October.

Holders and heavyweights enter the fray

Defending champions USM Alger begin their title defence on the road, travelling to face Panthers FC of Equatorial Guinea. The Algerian outfit will be eager to assert their authority early and carry an advantage into the home leg.

Fellow Algerian giants CR Belouizdad face an away assignment of their own, meeting Mauritania's AS Douanes — a side that booked their spot in this round after edging past Guinea's Hafia FC in a tight first-round contest.

Egypt's Al Ahly — crowned CAF Confederation Cup champions back in 2014 — return to the competition after a prolonged spell in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League. They face Uganda's Kitara FC in a tie that pitches continental royalty against ambitious East African opposition.

North African sides on the move

Tunisia's CS Sfaxien travel to Côte d'Ivoire to take on Académie de FAD, while Morocco's Raja Casablanca make the trip to Nigeria to face El Kanemi Warriors. Last season's CAF Champions League runners-up, AS FAR of Morocco, begin their Confederation Cup campaign away to Ivorian side CO Korhogo.

Southern and East African battles

South Africa's Kaizer Chiefs face Zambia's Red Arrows in a fixture with genuine cross-border appeal, while compatriots Durban City host Port Louis of Mauritius.

Tanzania's Singida Black Stars, who produced one of the most commanding aggregate wins of the opening round, welcome Kenya's Tusker FC — a side that progressed by defeating Sudan's Al-Ahli Wad Medani 3-2 on aggregate.

Angola's Kabuscorp do Palanca, impressive in the First Preliminary Round, now face DR Congo's Maniema Union as they bid to sustain their momentum. Elsewhere, Egypt's ZED FC — another side to catch the eye in the opening stage — take on Tanzania's Azam FC.

Full second preliminary round fixtures (first legs: 16–18 October 2026)

Welwalo Adigrat (Ethiopia) vs Al Ahly Tripoli (Libya) | ZED FC (Egypt) vs Azam FC (Tanzania) | Kitara FC (Uganda) vs Al Ahly (Egypt) | Red Arrows (Zambia) vs Kaizer Chiefs (South Africa) | Zarzis (Tunisia) vs Real Bamako (Mali) | Académie de FAD (Côte d'Ivoire) vs CS Sfaxien (Tunisia) | Korhogo (Côte d'Ivoire) vs FAR Rabat (Morocco) | Rayon Sports (Rwanda) vs Black Bulls (Mozambique) | AS Douanes (Mauritania) vs CR Belouizdad (Algeria) | Tusker FC (Kenya) vs Singida Black Stars (Tanzania) | Durban City (South Africa) vs Port Louis (Mauritius) | Vita Club (DR Congo) vs Primeiro de Agosto (Angola) | El Kanemi Warriors (Nigeria) vs Raja Casablanca (Morocco) | Kabuscorp (Angola) vs Maniema Union (DR Congo) | FC Diarra (Mali) vs ASKO Kara (Togo) | Panthers FC (Equatorial Guinea) vs USM Alger (Algeria).