Zamalek and Pyramids begin their second preliminary-round campaigns in the 2026-27 CAF Champions League this weekend, with both Egyptian clubs aiming to secure an advantage in the first legs before returning home for the decisive fixtures later this month.
Zamalek travel to Rwanda to face the Rwandan Army on Friday, 16 October, while Pyramids take on South Sudan’s Al-Merreikh Bentiu, also known as Mars Bentiu, on the same day. Both clubs are targeting progress towards the group stage of Africa’s leading club competition.
The second preliminary round features 16 first-leg matches between Friday, 16 October, and Sunday, 18 October, with the return fixtures scheduled between 21 and 25 October.
Several established African sides are also in action, including Mamelodi Sundowns, Esperance of Tunisia, Orlando Pirates, TP Mazembe and Raja’s continental rivals. The ties will determine which clubs advance to the next stage as the competition moves closer to its group phase.
CAF Champions League 2026-27: First-leg fixtures
All kick-off times below are in Mecca time, as listed in the supplied schedule.
| Match | Date | Kick-off | TV channel | Mars Bentiu vs Pyramids | Friday, 16 October | 16:30 | ON Sport Max | Rwandan Army vs Zamalek | Friday, 16 October | 19:00 | MBC Egypt 2 | Star Sport vs Renaissance Berkane | Friday, 16 October | 19:00 | Not listed | CFFA vs Young Africans | Saturday, 17 October | 15:00 | Not listed | African Stars vs Orlando Pirates | Saturday, 17 October | 16:00 | Not listed | TP Mazembe vs Club Africain | Saturday, 17 October | 16:00 | Not listed | 15 August vs Simba | Saturday, 17 October | 19:00 | Not listed | San Pedro vs Nouadhibou | Saturday, 17 October | 19:00 | Not listed | Rangers vs Mouloudia Club of Algiers | Sunday, 18 October | 16:00 | Not listed | Scotland vs Petro Atletico | Sunday, 18 October | 16:00 | Not listed | Sidama Buna vs Al-Hilal | Sunday, 18 October | 16:00 | Not listed | Willity vs Mamelodi Sundowns | Sunday, 18 October | 18:00 | Not listed | Horoya vs Al-Merrikh | Sunday, 18 October | 19:00 | Not listed | Al-Suwaihli vs Esperance Tunis | Sunday, 18 October | 20:00 | Libya National Sports; Tunisia’s First | Tongeth vs Colomb Sportif | Sunday, 18 October | 20:00 | Not listed | Maghreb Fez vs ASEC Mimosas | Sunday, 18 October | 20:00 | Not listed |
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Where to watch the second preliminary-round matches
There is no single broadcaster listed as showing every match in the preliminary rounds of the CAF Champions League. According to the supplied information, the home club or its national football federation can select the broadcaster for an individual fixture.
For the opening legs, Pyramids’ match against Mars Bentiu is listed for ON Sport Max, while Zamalek’s meeting with the Rwandan Army is scheduled to be shown on MBC Egypt 2.
The Al-Suwaihli versus Esperance fixture is listed for Libya National Sports and Tunisia’s First channel. Broadcast details for the remaining matches have not been specified in the schedule.
Coverage arrangements may therefore differ from one country and fixture to another. Supporters should check local listings for any updates to the information provided.
CAF Champions League 2026-27: Second-leg fixtures
The return matches will take place from Wednesday, 21 October, to Sunday, 25 October. Zamalek and Pyramids will both have home advantage as they attempt to complete their respective ties in Egypt.
| Match | Date | Kick-off | Venue listed | Young Africans vs CFFA | Wednesday, 21 October | 19:00 | KMC Stadium | Petro Atletico vs Scotland | Friday, 23 October | 18:00 | November 11 Stadium | Orlando Pirates vs African Stars | Friday, 23 October | 20:30 | Orlando Stadium | Mamelodi Sundowns vs Willity | Friday, 23 October | 21:00 | Loftus Versfeld Stadium | Mouloudia Club of Algiers vs Rangers International | Friday, 23 October | 22:00 | Professor Ali Lapointe | Esperance Tunis vs Al-Suwaihli | Saturday, 24 October | 19:00 | Hammadi Agrebi Olympic Stadium | Al-Merrikh vs Horoya | Saturday, 24 October | 20:00 | Amahoro Stadium | Pyramids vs Al-Merreikh Bentiu | Saturday, 24 October | 20:00 | June 30 Stadium | Zamalek vs Rwandan Army | Saturday, 24 October | 20:00 | Cairo International Stadium | Renaissance Berkane vs Star Sport Academy | Saturday, 24 October | 22:00 | Municipal Stadium in Berkane | Simba vs 15 August | Sunday, 25 October | 16:00 | Not yet determined | Colomb Sportif vs Tongeth | Sunday, 25 October | 18:00 | Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium | ASEC Mimosas vs Maghreb Fez | Sunday, 25 October | 19:00 | Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium | Al-Hilal vs Sidama Buna | Sunday, 25 October | 19:00 | Amahoro Stadium | Club Africain vs TP Mazembe | Sunday, 25 October | 20:00 | Hammadi Agrebi Olympic Stadium | Nouadhibou vs San Pedro | Sunday, 25 October | 20:00 | Sheikh Ould Bedia Stadium |
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Egyptian clubs target progress
Zamalek’s trip to Rwanda will be followed by the return fixture at Cairo International Stadium on 24 October. The Egyptian side will be looking to secure a result in the first leg that leaves them well placed to advance.
Pyramids face a similar task against Al-Merreikh Bentiu, with their home leg scheduled for 24 October at the June 30 Stadium. Both Egyptian clubs will need to navigate the two matches successfully to keep their hopes of reaching the group stage alive.
Elsewhere, Sundowns, Esperance, Orlando Pirates and TP Mazembe are among the established sides involved in the round. With first-leg results set to shape the return fixtures, the coming days will be important for clubs hoping to progress in the 2026-27 African Champions League.
