TotalEnergies CAF Champions League first hurdle cleared as race for group stage gathers pace

The race for a place in the group stage of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League moved into its next phase on Saturday, 12 September as several clubs secured progression from the first preliminary round.

The return-leg fixtures produced a mixture of convincing victories and tightly contested encounters, with the successful sides now turning their attention to the second preliminary round, where a place among the continent’s leading clubs awaits.

Al Hilal Omdurman advanced with a 3-0 aggregate victory over Aigle Noir after a 1-0 home win, while El Merriekh FC Bentiu completed a 4-0 aggregate success against Heegan FC with a 3-0 victory in the return leg.

Orlando Pirates also progressed, defeating La Cure Waves 3-1 in Soweto to complete a 3-1 aggregate win. In Zambia, Al-Merreikh edged Power Dynamos 1-0 to secure a 2-0 aggregate victory.

TP Mazembe produced one of the stronger performances of the round, beating Medeama 3-1 to advance 4-1 on aggregate, while Petro Atletico secured their place in the next round despite being held to a 2-2 draw by HCB Senge, progressing 3-2 overall.

In Morocco, MAS Fes held Rahimo FC to a goalless draw to complete a 4-1 aggregate victory. Club Africain also advanced after a 2-2 draw against Djoliba AC, winning the tie 3-2 on aggregate.

Young Africans, under new coach Manqoba Mngqithi continued their continental campaign with a 2-1 victory over Gaborone United, taking the tie 3-2 on aggregate.

Egyptian powerhouse, Zamalek were among the round’s most emphatic winners, defeating Ports 4-0 to complete a 6-1 aggregate victory, while Algeria’s MC Alger matched that margin with a 5-0 win over Nigelee to progress by the same score on aggregate.

Scottland FC edged Nsingizini 1-0 on aggregate after a goalless draw in the return leg, while CFFA held Lijabatho FC 1-1 to advance 3-1 overall.

With the first set of return legs now completed, more TotalEnergies CAF Champions League action follows on Sunday as the remaining first preliminary round ties are set to be decided.

TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Preliminary Round | Saturday’s results

Al Hilal Omdurman 1-0 Aigle Noir — Al Hilal advance 3-0 on aggregate

African Stars 2-0 Manga Sport — African Stars advance 3-3 on aggregate

Heegan FC 0-3 El Merriekh FC Bentiu — El Merriekh FC advance 4-0 on aggregate

Nsingizini 0-0 Scottland FC — Scottland advance 1-0 on aggregate

Orlando Pirates 3-1 La Cure Waves — Orlando Pirates advance 3-1 on aggregate

Power Dynamos 0-1 Al-Merreikh — Al-Merreikh advance 2-0 on aggregate

TP Mazembe 3-1 Medeama — TP Mazembe advance 4-1 on aggregate

Lijabatho FC 1-1 CFFA — CFFA advance 3-1 on aggregate

Petro Atletico 2-2 HCB Senge — Petro Atletico advance 3-2 on aggregate

Rahimo FC 0-0 MAS Fes — MAS Fes advance 4-1 on aggregate

Djoliba AC 2-2 Club Africain — Club Africain advance 3-2 on aggregate

Young Africans 2-1 Gaborone United — Young Africans advance 3-2 on aggregate

Zamalek 4-0 Ports — Zamalek advance 6-1 on aggregate

MC Alger 5-0 Nigelee — MC Alger advance 5-0 on aggregate