The CAF Champions League enters its final preliminary round this month, with Orlando Pirates drawn against African Stars and TP Mazembe set to meet Club Africain.
First-leg matches are scheduled between 16 and 18 October, with the second legs taking place from 23 to 25 October. The 16 winners will progress to the group stage.
Pirates recover to beat La Cure Waves
Orlando Pirates advanced from the opening round after overcoming Mauritian club La Cure Waves 3–1 in the second leg on 12 September.
The first match ended goalless, meaning the South African side went through on a 3–1 aggregate score, as confirmed by CAF.
According to the club’s report, La Cure Waves took the lead in a lively first half before Pirates quickly levelled. The visitors then moved in front in the 25th minute, while Yanela Mbuthuma’s header made it 3–1 eight minutes before half-time.
That result secured progress but gives Orlando Pirates no advantage against African Stars, who represent Namibia. The outcome of their next two-legged tie will determine who reaches the group stage.
CAF’s published scheduling windows provide the confirmed framework for the Pirates’ matches. The exact date, venue and kick-off time for both legs have yet to be established.
Mazembe to host first leg
TP Mazembe already have a specific schedule for their meeting with Club Africain.
A club statement issued on 30 September says the first leg will be played on 17 October at Stade du TPM, with the return at Stade de Rades on 25 October. Mazembe will therefore begin at home before travelling to Tunisia.
The announced kick-off times are 13:00 GMT for the first match and 17:00 GMT for the return. Those times correspond to 14:00 and 18:00 in Brazzaville, which is UTC+1.
The dates fall within the CAF windows for the round. The kick-off details come from TP Mazembe’s statement, which relays a CAF decision, and remain subject to rechecking before travel arrangements are made.
The first legs will establish the position in each tie, but qualification will only be settled after the return matches. Orlando Pirates’ victory in the previous round and Mazembe’s published fixture details do not represent qualification for the group stage.
For supporters, the immediate landmarks are confirmation of the Pirates’ programme, Mazembe’s home match on 17 October and the official first-leg results. Those outcomes will set the context for the return fixtures without determining them in advance.
The information is based on CAF’s inter-club calendar published on 2 July 2026, CAF’s second-round pairings of 15 September 2026, Orlando Pirates’ 12 September match report and TP Mazembe’s 30 September fixture announcement. The documents were reviewed on 5 October 2026.
