The chase for a place in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League 2025/26 group stage took a dramatic turn this weekend, as clubs across the continent tiptoed through their first-leg encounters, carefully balancing ambition with caution.
With every team keenly aware that a single lapse could prove costly, the second preliminary round unfolded with narrow scorelines but far-reaching consequences — setting the stage for an intense round of return fixtures next weekend.
Saturday’s action produced few goals but plenty of storylines.
Al Ahly (Egypt), Al Hilal Omdurman (Sudan), Silver Strikers (Malawi), and Black Bulls (Mozambique) all earned slim but crucial wins, while JS Kabylie (Algeria) made a powerful statement with a commanding away triumph.
Al Ahly edge past Aigle Noir in Bujumbura
Record African champions Al Ahly took a cautious but effective first step toward another group-stage berth, grinding out a 1–0 away win against Aigle Noir in Burundi.
The breakthrough came in the 36th minute, when home defender Iragi K. inadvertently diverted a dangerous cross into his own net, gifting the Egyptians a priceless lead.
A winning start to our CAF Champions League campaign 💪🦅 pic.twitter.com/uqT7zKKdTY
— Al Ahly SC 🇬🇧 (@AlAhlyEnglish) October 18, 2025
Despite enjoying the lion’s share of possession, Ahly failed to extend their advantage, but Jess Thorup’s men will gladly take the away win back to Cairo. The result maintains the Red Devils’ unbeaten run this season and places them firmly on track for a record-extending 13th continental crown.
Silver strikers shock Young Africans
Malawi’s Silver Strikers delivered one of the weekend’s biggest surprises, edging last season’s semi-finalists Young Africans (Yanga) 1–0 in Lilongwe.
After a tense hour of football, substitute Austin Yosefe emerged the hero — rising highest in the 76th minute to nod home the decisive goal and send the home crowd into raptures.
⏱️ | 𝐅𝐓 #CAFCL
Silver Strikers 1🆚0 Young Africans SC #TimuYaWananchi#DaimaMbeleNyumaMwiko pic.twitter.com/kBVO3Vm6Uo
— Young Africans SC (@YoungAfricansSC) October 18, 2025
The Tanzanian giants now face a formidable challenge in Dar es Salaam, where they must overturn the deficit to keep their Champions League dreams alive.
Black Bulls tame Rivers United in Maputo
In Mozambique, Black Bulls took a giant step toward a historic group-stage qualification with a gritty 1–0 victory over Nigeria’s Rivers United.
Few hours to kickoff in Matola! We’re gunning for a DECENT RESULT to bring back home! Let’s make it happen, Rivers United FC! 💪🔥#CAFCL || #ABBRIV pic.twitter.com/Qh6bcRa6F0
— Rivers United FC (@RiversUnitedFC) October 18, 2025
After a disciplined first half, the hosts finally broke the deadlock in the 50th minute when Moctar Diallo found space to slot home what proved to be the winner.
Rivers United will return to Port Harcourt with everything to do, needing both inspiration and precision to rescue their campaign.
Hilal silence Police FC in Nairobi
Al Hilal Omdurman of Sudan showcased their pedigree in Nairobi, striking early to secure a professional 1–0 win over Police FC on Friday.
Forward Adama Coulibaly netted the game’s only goal in the 20th minute, and from then on, the visitors expertly managed proceedings, blunting Police’s attacks and controlling the tempo.
The result gives Hilal a solid advantage ahead of the return leg in Omdurman, while Police must now pull off a massive upset to stay in the competition.
التدريب الأولى لسيد البلد على الأراضي الليبية. 🙌#فخر_السودان | #Forza_Hilal | #TotalEnergiesCAFCL pic.twitter.com/mhk80n22MF
— Al Hilal SC (@AlHilalSC_) October 19, 2025
Kabylie run riot in Tunisia
In contrast to the weekend’s narrow margins, JS Kabylie blew the doors wide open with a commanding 3–0 away demolition of Tunisia’s Monastir.
The Algerian side’s emphatic performance leaves them with one foot in the group stage, with the return leg in Tizi Ouzou now looking like a formality.
The opening acts of the CAF Champions League may have been cagey, but they’ve set up a thrilling finale next weekend, where every mistake, every save, and every goal could rewrite a team’s continental destiny.
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