Kabylie hit five as Dynamos dump ASEC in dramatic CAF Champions League prelims
JS Kabylie, Al-Hilal Omdurman, Colombe Sportive, Al Ahly Tripoli, Nouadhibou and Power Dynamos all progressed from the first preliminary round on Sunday night, with the Zambian champions knocking out Ivorian giants ASEC Mimosas on penalties.
The North African heavyweights did their bit – Kabylie thrashed Bibiani Gold Stars 5-0 and Esperance’s neighbours Al Ahly Tripoli edged Dadjè – while Nouadhibou and Al-Hilal sealed narrow aggregate wins.
Cameroon’s Colombe nicked a late away success in Dakar. All six move into the second preliminary round, one step from the lucrative group stage.
Power Dynamos hold their nerve in Abidjan
The day’s shock came in Abidjan where ASEC Mimosas versus Power Dynamos finished 1-1 on aggregat with the visitors perfect from the spot, winning 5–4 on penalties.
ASEC levelled the tie when Souleymane Fofana fired them ahead on 53 minutes, but the momentum flipped 11 minutes later as Seydou Sacko’s red card left the hosts a man short.
With no further goals, the shoot-out decided it: Shumah, Chansa, Kondwani, Bamidele and Mphasi were flawless for Dynamos, while Romaric Amoussou missed ASEC’s fifth to send the Zambians through to the second preliminary round after a disciplined away performance.
Al-Hilal edge Jamus to set up Kenya Police tie
In Omdurman, Al-Hilal's 1–0 win over Jamus was settled by Jean Girumugisha’s 24th-minute strike after a goalless first leg, helping the home side to progress on aggregate.
The Sudanese giants controlled the remainder without adding a cushion and will now face Kenya Police FC in the next round, with a group-stage place the prize.
Colombe strike in Dakar
Cameroon’s Colombe advanced with a gritty away win, Jaraaf 0–1 Colombe (aggregate 0–1). Adam Musah struck on the hour, and the visitors defended stoutly to frustrate the Senegalese side and book their passage to the second preliminary round.
Ahly Tripoli through via own goal
Libyan contenders Al Ahly Tripoli progressed thanks to a single goal across 180 minutes, beating Dadjè of Benin 1–0 (agg 1–0). The decisive moment came on 57 minutes when Sewanou Winsavi put through his own net under pressure. Ahly Tripoli then shut the door, completing a professional two-leg job.
Kabylie crush Gold Stars
JS Kabylie produced the day’s most emphatic scoreline, routing Bibiani Gold Stars 5–0 (agg 7–0) in Tizi-Ouzou. An early own goal from Emmanuel Kobi set the tone before Ryad Boudebouz doubled the lead before the half-hour. After the break, with Gold Stars’ Emmanuel Ankrah sent off on 60 minutes, Kabylie cut loose: Mehdi Reda Merghem, Lahlou Akhrib and Oualid Malki completed a ruthless second-half burst. The Algerians cruise into the next round with real momentum and a clean sheet over both legs.
Nouadhibou finish the job in Nouakchott
Mauritanian champions FC Nouadhibou completed a tidy tie, defeating Fundación Bata 2–0 (agg 2–0). Cheikh Elwely broke the deadlock on 20 minutes and Cheikh Hattab sealed it midway through the second half. After a 0–0 draw away, Nouadhibou’s control at home never looked in doubt as they kept a second successive clean sheet.
What it means
The six victors advance to the Second Preliminary Round, the final hurdle before the CAF Champions League group phase. Al-Hilal’s meeting with Kenya Police FC promises a compelling East–Central African showdown, while Kabylie’s five-star showing marks them out as early qualifiers’ form side.