CAF Champions League: Four attractive clashes in prospect in the second preliminary round

The headquarters of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) hosted on Thursday the draw for the 2026-2027 CAF Champions League.

The race for the title promises to be wide open, especially since several clubs have significantly strengthened their squads during this summer transfer window.

As a reminder, South African club Mamelodi Sundowns clinched last season’s title with a victory in the final over Moroccan side AS FAR, winning 2-1 on aggregate across both legs.

The highlight of the first preliminary round will see Ivorian club San Pedro FC lock horns with their Nigerian counterparts Rivers United.

Check out the four potential blockbuster clashes in the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League.

Espérance de Tunis (Tunisia) vs Swehly SC (Libya)

Exempt from the first preliminary round, the grand old club of Tunisia will face, in the second round, the winner of the tie between Libya’s Swehly SC and Tanzania’s KVZ Sports Club.

If the Libyan champions manage to progress, they’ll set up a highly anticipated North African derby against Espérance de Tunis—a fixture that promises plenty of intrigue.

Historically, the two clubs have only met once before, in a friendly in 2022. That game ended in a 1-1 draw. The Libyans struck first through Brazilian striker Autemar Bispo Evangelista, but the Tunisians drew level with a direct free-kick from Houssem Dagdoug.

MAS de Fès (Morocco) vs ASEC Mimosas (Ivory Coast)

The Moroccan champions will kick off their 2026-2027 Champions League campaign against Burkina Faso’s Rahimo FC, while Ivorian giants ASEC Mimosas face Togo’s Association Sportive des Chauffeurs de la Kozah in the same round.

Barring a major upset, MAS and ASEC are set for a fierce showdown in the second round, with a coveted spot in the Champions League group stage at stake.

For the record, these two clubs have never met before in official competition.

Teungueth FC (Senegal) vs Stade Malien (Mali)

The Senegalese champions will take on Bissau-Guinean club Canchungo in the first round, while Malian heavyweights Stade Malien are set to face Cameroon’s Colombe Sportive.

With both sides boasting considerable experience on the continental stage, Teungueth FC and Stade Malien are favourites to battle it out for a ticket to the next round.

If they meet, their clash for a group stage berth promises to be a tightly contested affair.

TP Mazembe (DR Congo) vs Club Africain (Tunisia)

The Congolese giants will tackle Ghana’s Medeama SC in the first round, while Tunisian champions Club Africain will be up against Mali’s Djoliba.

TP Mazembe and Club Africain are widely tipped to meet in the second round for a decisive showdown to reach the group stage.

The two sides last met in the 2019 Champions League, where the “Corbeaux” (Ravens) dominated with an 8-0 victory in Lubumbashi, followed by a goalless draw in Tunis.

Imed Ben Amara |

Editorar, fr

Imed Ben Amara - bilingual sports writer and web editor with experience in football content creation. Since 2021, he has contributed to Foot Africa, providing news coverage and analysis.

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