The final places in this season’s TotalEnergies CAF Champions League group stage will be decided this weekend as the second legs of the final qualifying round are set to take place.
Last year’s runners-up, Wydad AC, are in a position to secure their spot at home against Hafia FC after a 1-1 away draw in the first leg against the Guinean champions last weekend.
A highly anticipated match features Moroccan club AS FAR Rabat facing a daunting task against Tunisian powerhouse Etoile Sportive du Sahel, who currently hold a narrow 1-0 first-leg lead.
DR Congo’s TP Mazembe, two-time African champions, are aiming for a return to the competition after missing the last two editions. They hold the upper hand following a crucial 1-0 away victory against Malawi’s Big Bullets.
Reigning Tunisian champions, Espérance de Tunis, are also on the verge of qualification after securing a narrow 1-0 away win in the opening encounter against Ivorian club AS Douanes.
Algeria’s CR Belouizdad can secure a fourth consecutive group stage spot following their 3-1 demolition of Sierra Leone’s Bo Rangers in their first-leg tie, played away.
South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns are poised to advance comfortably with a commanding 4-0 advantage over Burundi’s Bumamuru FC.
However, Guinea’s Horoya AC have a chance for redemption after Medeama SC’s surprising 3-1 first-leg win in Ghana. Horoya will be looking to overturn the deficit at home.
Tanzania’s Young Africans and Zambia’s Green Eagles hold slim first-leg leads over their Sudanese and Angolan opponents, respectively.
Meanwhile, Botswana’s Jwaneng Galaxy and Rwanda’s APR FC secured impressive home wins in their opening legs against South African and Egyptian rivals.
A brace by defender Kinito Balanga ensured Petro Atletico’s 2-1 victory over UD Songo in their first-leg tie. Petro Atletico is favored to secure their qualification next week in Luanda.
FC Nouadhibou of Mauritania caused an upset by defeating Malian side AS Real de Bamako 3-0 in Bamako. Avoiding defeat in the second leg will see them through to the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League group stage for the first time.
Libyan club Al Ahly Benghazi played to a scoreless draw at home against ASEC Mimosas. Both teams have everything to play for in the second leg in Abidjan.
The elite stage of the CAF Champions League awaits Africa’s giants, but some still have work ahead to secure progress in this week’s critical second-leg deciders.
