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 โ setting the stage for an intense round of return fixtures next weekend.
Saturdayโs 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 1โ0 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 ๐ช๐ฆ pic.twitter.com/uqT7zKKdTY
โ Al Ahly SC ๐ฌ๐ง (@AlAhlyEnglish) October 18, 2025
Despite enjoying the lionโs share of possession, Ahly failed to extend their advantage, but Jess Thorupโs men will gladly take the away win back to Cairo. The result maintains the Red Devilsโ unbeaten run this season and places them firmly on track for a record-extending 13th continental crown.
Silver strikers shock Young Africans
Malawiโs Silver Strikers delivered one of the weekendโs biggest surprises, edging last seasonโs semi-finalists Young Africans (Yanga) 1โ0 in Lilongwe.
After a tense hour of football, substitute Austin Yosefe emerged the hero โ rising highest in the 76th minute to nod home the decisive goal and send the home crowd into raptures.
โฑ๏ธ | ๐ ๐ #CAFCL
Silver Strikers 1๐0 Young Africans SC #TimuYaWananchi#DaimaMbeleNyumaMwiko pic.twitter.com/kBVO3Vm6Uo
โ 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 1โ0 victory over Nigeriaโs 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! ๐ช๐ฅ#CAFCL || #ABBRIV pic.twitter.com/Qh6bcRa6F0
โ 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 1โ0 win over Police FC on Friday.
Forward Adama Coulibaly netted the gameโs only goal in the 20th minute, and from then on, the visitors expertly managed proceedings, blunting Policeโs 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.
ุงูุชุฏุฑูุจ ุงูุฃููู ูุณูุฏ ุงูุจูุฏ ุนูู ุงูุฃุฑุงุถู ุงูููุจูุฉ. ๐#ูุฎุฑ_ุงูุณูุฏุงู | #Forza_Hilal | #TotalEnergiesCAFCL pic.twitter.com/mhk80n22MF
โ Al Hilal SC (@AlHilalSC_) October 19, 2025
Kabylie run riot in Tunisia
In contrast to the weekendโs narrow margins, JS Kabylie blew the doors wide open with a commanding 3โ0 away demolition of Tunisiaโs Monastir.
The Algerian sideโs 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 theyโve set up a thrilling finale next weekend, where every mistake, every save, and every goal could rewrite a teamโs continental destiny.
ยยยยยView this post on Instagramยยยยยยยยยยย
