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