CAF Champions League: Second-Leg Primer as Early Pacesetters Look to Finish the Job
The surprising first-leg results of the first Preliminary Round of the CAF Champions League have set up a fascinating weekend across the continent as the return legs are played from Friday.
With the second-leg ties to decide who reaches October’s final qualifying hurdle, several favourites carry sizeable cushions, but many contests are delicately poised.
Tunisian pair Espérance and Monastir banked emphatic away wins, while Nigeria’s Remo Stars, Tanzania’s Young Africans, Orlando Pirates and Petro de Luanda also opened up clear leads.
Elsewhere, a glut of stalemates means several ties now resemble one-off cup finals with qualification to October’s second preliminary round at stake.
Holders Pyramids will play their postponed preliminary ties on 1 and 5 October after their FIFA Intercontinental Cup commitments; Al-Merreikh v St Éloi Lupopo has also been slated.
Heavyweights with one foot through
Espeance returned to Rades with authority and options having won the firsrt leg tie 3-0 at AS FAN of Niger. Aboubacar Diakité’s second-half brace in Niamey helped them to the victory.
They are overwhelming favourites to complete the job, with AS FAN needing an early breakthrough to stir any jeopardy.
Their compatriots Monastir smothered East End Lions in Freetown, scoring once before the break and three more late on to seal the 4-0 win..
The Sierra Leoneans must chase goals away from home, a task complicated by Monastir’s compact shape and counter-threat.
Nigeria’s Remo Stars delivered the first-leg’s most eye-catching 4-0 scoreline with Lamine Ndenge, Ebuka Anthony, Adams Goïta and Seun Olasupo all on target.
Zilimadjou’s famous Stade de Moroni atmosphere is rarely forgiving for visitors in Comoros, but a four-goal deficit means the home side can just hope to rattle the Nigerians early.
Tanzanian champions Young Africans return to a packed Benjamin Mkapa Stadium with three away goals and a clean sheet. Angolan club Wiliete would need something extraordinary to flip the script.
Orlando Pirates have a commanding cushion when they host Lioli of Lesotho. The South Africans’ task now is game-state management at the Orlando Stadium after winning the first leg 3-0.
Petro de Luanda’s continental nous told in Curepipe with a 3-0 away win over Cercle de Joachim. The Angolans are strong favourites to finish the tie at home, where their front line usually finds space as opponents push on.
Meanwhile, Stade d’Abidjan, Ethiopian Insurance,and Police FC of Kenya are all well-placed to take advantage of their first-leg wins.
Knife-edge ties poised for drama
Elsewhere, one of the round’s premium ties hangs on a single goal from Innocent Kashita as Zambia’s Dynamos face ASEC in Abidjan, hoping to turn their narrow 1-0 into a second-leg advantage.
With no advantage banked, RS Berkane’s experience at this stage makes them marginal favourites in Morocco, yetthe Togolese side Kara’s pace in transition keeps this alive.
A tight goalless draw in the first leg in Benin leaves everything to play for in Tripoli. Ahly Tripoli will be buoyed by home backing, but Dadjè’s organisation and set-piece threat suggest a nervy night ahead for the Libyans.
Second legs are scheduled for 26–28 September across the continent. The winners advance to the second preliminary round on 17–19 and 24–26 October; the group stage begins 21 November.
The broader pathway also matters. Africa’s heaviest hitters, including record winners Al Ahly and Mamelodi Sundowns, enter in the next round.
