Fixtures & Results: Second Leg of First Preliminary Round — 2025/26 CAF Champions League
The race is on. The 2025/26 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League preliminary phase heated up in late September, with crucial return ties deciding which clubs advance to the second qualifying round.
Below is a recap of standout results, surprises, and what they mean going forward.
📅 Key Results & Upsets
Here are some of the notable outcomes from the second-leg matches (home teams listed first):
Stade d’Abidjan 3–1 Cote d’Or (Seychelles) — Stade d’Abidjan win 5–1 on aggregate.
Zilimadjou (Comoros) 0–1 Remo Stars (Nigeria) — Remo Stars progress 5–0 on aggregate.
ASAS (Djibouti) 1–1 Aigle Noir (Burundi) — 1–1 on aggregate; Aigle Noir advance on away goals.
Black Bulls (Mozambique) 1–0 Leopard (Congo) — Black Bulls advance 1–0 on aggregate.
Orlando Pirates (South Africa) 4–0 Lioli (Lesotho) — Pirates move on 7–0 on aggregate.
Silver Strikers (Malawi) 0–0 Elgeco Plus (Madagascar) — 1–1 on aggregate; Silver Strikers advance on away goals.
Mlandege (Zanzibar) 3–2 Ethiopian Insurance (Ethiopia) — Ethiopian Insurance advance 4–3 on aggregate.
Young Africans (Tanzania) 2–0 Wiliete (Angola) — Yanga progress 5–0 on aggregate.
Horoya (Guinea) 2–0 Al Hilal Benghazi (Libya) — Horoya advance 2–1 on aggregate.
Petro Atlético (Angola) 3–0 Cercle de Joachim (Mauritius) — Petro Atlético move on 6–0 aggregate.
Vipers (Uganda) 1–0 African Stars (Namibia) — Vipers win 2–0 on aggregate.
Stade Malien (Mali) 2–0 Tempête MOCAF (Central African Republic) — Stade Malien advance 7–0 on aggregate.
Espérance Tunis (Tunisia) 4–1 AS FAN (Niger) — Espérance progress 7–1 on aggregate.
FAR Rabat (Morocco) 2–1 Real Banjul (Gambia) — FAR Rabat go through 4–1 on aggregate.
MC Alger (Algeria) 3–0 Fassell (Liberia) — MC Alger advance 3–0 aggregate.
Berkane (Morocco) 3–1 ASC Kara (Togo) — Berkane advance 4–2 aggregate.
Nsingizini Hotspurs (Eswatini) 1–0 Simba Bhora (Zimbabwe) — Tied 1–1 on aggregate; Hotspurs win 4–2 on penalties.
Simba (Tanzania) 1–1 Gaborone United (Botswana) — Simba progress 2–1 on aggregate.
Mangasport (Gabon) 0–0 Rahimo (Burkina Faso) — 0–0 on aggregate; Rahimo win 4–2 on penalties.
Police FC (Kenya) 0–2 Mogadishu City (Somalia) — Tied 3–3 aggregate; Police FC advance on away goals.
Rivers United (Nigeria) 1–0 Aigles du Congo (DRC) — Rivers United win on aggregate.
Al-Hilal Omdurman (Sudan) 1–0 Jamus (South Sudan) — Al-Hilal advance.
ASEC Mimosas (Côte d’Ivoire) 1–0 Power Dynamos (Zambia) — Tied 1–1; Power Dynamos win 5–4 on penalties.
Monastir (Tunisia) 3–1 East End Lions (Sierra Leone) — Monastir go through 7–1 on aggregate.
Jaraaf (Senegal) 0–1 Colombe (Cameroon) — Colombe progress 1–0.
Al Ahly Tripoli (Libya) 1–0 Dadjè (Benin) — Al Ahly Tripoli wins 1–0 aggregate.
Kabylie (Algeria) 5–0 Bibiani Gold Stars (Ghana) — Kabylie advance 7–0 on aggregate.
Nouadhibou (Mauritania) 2–0 Fundación Bata (Equatorial Guinea) — Nouadhibou go through.
Also, some ties were rescheduled or postponed (e.g. Pyramids FC had delays due to Intercontinental Cup commitments).
🔍 Analysis & What to Watch
1. Dominant performances by favorites
Some clubs lived up to expectations and delivered comprehensive aggregate wins — Orlando Pirates, Stade d’Abidjan, Petro Atlético, Kabylie stand out among these. Their convincing results suggest they mean serious business this season.
2. Edge-of-seat drama and penalties
Several ties went down to the wire:
Nsingizini Hotspurs vs Simba Bhora ended 1–1 aggregate; decided via penalties.
Simba vs Gaborone United was tight but Simba edged through 2–1.
ASEC Mimosas vs Power Dynamos also tied on aggregate and went to spot-kicks.
These tight margins demonstrate how unforgiving CAF knockout stages can be — away goals and mental strength often prove decisive.
3. East African teams in focus
Simba SC (Tanzania) managed to navigate their tie against Gaborone United, showing resilience in a tough fixture.
Young Africans (Yanga) had a commanding 5–0 aggregate win, stamping their credentials.
However, Mlandege (Zanzibar) fell short despite a spirited 3–2 home win, as their aggregate tally wasn’t enough.
These matches matter deeply for regional pride — East African teams will aim to go further in subsequent rounds.
📌 What Next & Looking Ahead
Many successful clubs from this round now move on to the Second Preliminary / First Qualifying Round, where competition intensifies.
Some postponed ties (e.g. Pyramids FC) will be played in early October.
Clubs that squeaked through will face stronger opposition — margins will be slimmer, and tactical acumen will be tested.
For fans, it’s time to gear up: expect decisive away matches, travel challenges, and emotional nights.
The second-leg of the First Preliminary Round in the 2025/26 CAF Champions League delivered both the expected and the unpredictable. While powerhouses advanced convincingly, some matches went down to penalties and away goals — proof of just how ruthless continental football can be.
In particular, Simba SC’s progression will excite their supporters, while Yanga’s dominant display also positions them as contenders. As the tournament advances, every match matters.
Stay connected to our blog for updates on upcoming fixtures, results, and match previews as the CAF Champions League 2025/26 unfolds.