Egyptian giants Al Ahly came from behind to defeat Uganda’s Kitara FC 2-1, while Zambia’s Red Arrows claimed a narrow victory over South Africa’s Kaizer Chiefs in the first legs of the 2026-27 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup second preliminary round.
Al Ahly recovered from a first-half setback to secure an important away win at Hoima Stadium on Saturday, with second-half goals from Omar Al-Saai and substitute Ahmed Sayed Zizo giving them the advantage ahead of the return fixture in Cairo on 25 October.
Kitara had taken the lead through Gaddafi Wahab in the 30th minute, but the Ugandan side were unable to hold on as the visitors increased their pressure after the interval.
The result leaves Al Ahly well placed to progress to the competition’s 16-team group stage, although Kitara will need a strong performance in Egypt to overturn the deficit and keep their continental campaign alive.
Al Ahly started the match on the front foot and came close to taking the lead when Mounsef Bakar’s header struck the post.
Yassin Marei and Hussein El Shahat also missed opportunities as the Egyptian side continued to threaten.
Despite that early pressure, Kitara moved in front against the run of play when Wahab converted a cross in the 30th minute, sending the ball beyond Al Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy.
The hosts held their advantage until the break, leaving Al Ahly needing a response in the second half.
Coach Hussein Ammouta made three changes after the interval, bringing on Zizo, Soufiane Benjedida and Tawfik Mohamed in an effort to turn the match around.
The substitutions helped the visitors regain control, and Al-Saai equalised in the 67th minute.
He collected a cross from Marwan Attia, beat a defender and fired past the Kitara goalkeeper to bring Al Ahly back into the contest.
The Egyptian side completed the comeback 12 minutes later after Akram Tawfik was brought down inside the penalty area.
Zizo took responsibility from the spot and converted in the 79th minute to put the visitors ahead.
Kitara could not find a late equaliser, leaving Al Ahly with a one-goal advantage to defend when the sides meet again at Cairo Stadium.
The Egyptian club will aim to finish the job on home soil, while Kitara face the challenge of producing a result away from Uganda if they are to reach the group stage.
In another second preliminary-round tie, Zambia’s Red Arrows defeated South African side Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 at home to secure a narrow advantage in their bid to reach the group stage.
Alassane Diarra scored the only goal of the match in the 76th minute, rising to head home a corner delivered by Ackim Mumba.
The late breakthrough proved decisive for the Zambian side, who held on to claim victory against their more experienced South African opponents.
The result gives Red Arrows an advantage going into the return leg, but the tie remains open with only one goal separating the teams.
Kaizer Chiefs will now have to overturn the deficit on home soil to keep their hopes of progressing in the continental competition alive.
With both ties still to be decided over two legs, Al Ahly and Red Arrows have taken important steps towards qualification, but Kitara and Kaizer Chiefs retain opportunities to respond in the return fixtures.
