The CAF Champions League returns on Friday, 4 September 2026, with the first legs of the opening preliminary round, as clubs across Africa begin their pursuit of a place in the group stage.
Zamalek SC are among the leading names in action on the opening day and will start their campaign away from home against AS du Port / TACO. The Egyptian club will be aiming to secure a positive result before the return fixture the following week.
The day’s other headline fixture sees Algeria’s JS Saoura face Guinea’s Horoya AC in a meeting described as one of the most anticipated ties of the round. Both sides enter the new campaign with the objective of taking an early advantage into the second leg.
The three-match programme also includes a meeting between AL Swehly SC and KVZ FC, giving the first day of the competition a schedule featuring established clubs and less-familiar challengers seeking to make progress in Africa’s leading club tournament.
The opening fixtures mark the beginning of a busy weekend of continental football. With the first legs being played across the continent, the results will set the tone for the return matches, which are scheduled for the following week.
Away goals are expected to carry significant weight over the two-leg ties, making the first matches important for both the home and visiting teams. The clubs playing at home will be looking to build an advantage, while those travelling will hope to return with a result that strengthens their chances of reaching the next stage.
Zamalek’s trip to face AS du Port / TACO is the day’s clearest meeting involving one of the competition’s major names. Their campaign begins on the road, leaving the Egyptian side with the immediate task of managing the opening leg before the tie is decided over the return fixture.
JS Saoura and Horoya AC provide another major attraction. Their encounter brings together two sides competing for an early advantage in a match expected to draw particular attention in the Maghreb football landscape.
All three fixtures will be played on Friday, with the listed kick-off times given in GMT:
– 17:00 AL Swehly SC v KVZ FC
– 17:00 AS du Port / TACO v Zamalek SC
– 18:00 JS Saoura v Horoya AC
The opening preliminary-round matches will provide the first indication of which clubs can establish control of their ties and move closer to the group stage. With the return fixtures set for the following week, every goal and result from Friday’s programme could prove decisive.
