Kotoko, Zesco, Azam in focus as TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round kicks off

The new African club season sparks into life this weekend as 26 first-leg ties launch the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup 2025/26 Preliminary Round.

Across the continent, ambitious sides will chase early momentum – and a pathway that could lead to group-stage football by November.

The stakes are immediate: survive over two legs now and earn a shot at some of Africa’s heaviest hitters in next month’s second preliminary round.

Six top-ranked clubs – Wydad AC, USM Alger, CR Belouizdad, Zamalek, Al Masry and Stellenbosch – sit out the opening hurdle with byes, waiting to greet the winners.

That puts extra shine on several match-ups, where the prize is not just progression but a glamour tie in October.

The standout fixture pits Asante Kotoko against Kwara United, a meeting of proud West African clubs with noisy travelling supports.

Kotoko, twice African champions, return to continental competition under pressure to re-assert themselves; Kwara arrive as organised, athletic spoilers and know that a positive away result in Kumasi could tilt the tie.

Génération Foot versus Amadou Diallo FC has the feel of an academy showcase.

Senegal’s talent factory – famed for producing Sadio Mané – are sharp in transition and strong at set-plays, while the Ivorians bring pace out wide and a willingness to press high.

The winners are likely to draw USM Alger, the 2023 Confederation Cup champions.

In Conakry, record Guinean champions Hafia FC welcome Bhantal FC with the winner of the tie knowing that Algeria’s CR Belouizdad lie in weight in a heavyweight second round meeting.

USFA of Burkina Faso host Nigeria’s Abia Warriors in Ouagadougou; the Warriors are debutants at this level but carry bite on counters, while Djoliba AC await the winners next round.

Further east, Tanzania’s Azam FC cross the channel to face Zanzibar’s KMKM SC in a compelling regional derby before a potential date with South Sudanese opposition.

Uganda’s NEC FC begin at home to Sudan’s Al Ahli Madani, a tie that dangles the carrot of Étoile du Sahel in round two – a huge night for either camp.

In southern Africa, seasoned campaigners Zesco United meet Malawi giants Mighty Wanderers. Zesco’s set-piece strength and experience make them marginal favourites, but the Nomads’ intensity can unsettle anyone; Jwaneng Galaxy of Botswana lie down the road for the winners.

DR Congo’s second representative face Angola’s Kabuscorp de Palanca for the right to take on Kaizer Chiefs, adding further edge to an already spiky Central–Southern clash.

Travel, tight turnarounds and unfamiliar venues will test squads as much as tactics.

 Home sides will want to bank a lead and keep clean sheets before daunting away legs next week. If level on aggregate, ties go to extra time and then penalties.

First-leg matches are scheduled for 19–21 September, with the return legs 26–28 September.

Victors advance to the second preliminary round on 17–19 October (second legs 24–26 October).

Win again, and the promised land beckons: a place in the group stage from 21 November – plus continental relevance deep into 2026.