Ahly to compete in second-tier CAF Cup this season
Al Ahly of Egypt, a club with a record 25 CAF titles, is set to begin its campaign in the CAF Confederation Cup. The Cairo-based team will face either Mogadishu City of Somalia or Kitara of Uganda in their opening fixture. This marks Al Ahly’s return to the second-tier continental competition, having previously won it in 2014.
The club’s participation in the CAF Confederation Cup comes after finishing third in the Egyptian Premier League, behind Zamalek and Pyramids. CAF regulations permit only two entrants to the Champions League from the top 12 ranked countries, leading to Al Ahly’s absence from the premier competition for the first time since 2003. Their domestic season was described as disappointing, as they also did not secure victories in the FA Cup or League Cup.
Following the conclusion of the domestic season, Danish coach Jess Thorup departed the club. His replacement is Houcine Ammouta, a 56-year-old Moroccan coach who has experience managing clubs in his home country, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Ammouta also served as the head coach for Jordan’s national team.
Al Ahly contributed eight players to the national squad for the 2026 World Cup, where Egypt was eliminated in the round of 16 by Argentina. With players like goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir and midfielder Emam Ashour, the club is anticipated to advance to the 16-club group phase of the Confederation Cup. Mogadishu City and Kitara have each participated in the Confederation Cup once before, with both teams being eliminated in the first qualifying round on those occasions.
The draw for the competition was held in Cairo on Thursday, where Al Ahly received a bye into the second qualifying round. This bye is a common feature in the African equivalent of the UEFA Europa League. The first round matches for the Confederation Cup are scheduled to take place between September 4-6 and September 11-13. The second round matches, which will include Al Ahly’s first fixture, are set for October 16-18 and October 23-25.
Potential Challengers in the Confederation Cup
While Al Ahly aims for a second title, the competition features other strong contenders. The biggest threats to Al Ahly this season could come from three other previous winners of the Confederation Cup. These include USM Alger of Algeria, who are the current title-holders. USM Alger has been drawn to face either Panthers of Equatorial Guinea or ASPAC of Benin in their initial matches.
Another formidable opponent is CS Sfaxien of Tunisia, who have won the competition a record-equalling three times. CS Sfaxien is scheduled to play against Shooting Stars of Nigeria in what is expected to be a highlight among the 24 first-round ties. Additionally, Raja Casablanca of Morocco, who have lifted the Confederation Cup trophy twice, await the winners of the match between El Kanemi Warriors of Nigeria and UDIB of Guinea-Bissau.
The path to continental glory in the CAF Champions League was also revealed, with a record USD 6 million awaiting the champion. CAF will also provide clubs eliminated in the preliminary rounds of the Champions League with a USD 100,000 subvention to assist with travel and other logistical costs. A total of 61 clubs have entered the Champions League competition.
Champions League Draw Highlights
In the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League 2026/27, defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns will meet either Wiliete from Angola or Foresters FC of Seychelles in the Second Preliminary Round. Sundowns, along with Espérance Sportive de Tunis from Tunisia and Morocco’s RS Berkane, received byes into the Second Preliminary Round. Sundowns defeated AS FAR 2-1 on aggregate to claim their second continental crown last season.
South African rivals Orlando Pirates will begin their Champions League campaign a round earlier with an away tie against Mauritian debutants La Cure Waves. Should Pirates advance, they are set to face either AS Mangasport of Gabon or Namibia’s African Stars for a place in the group stage. Espérance will await the winners of the opening-round encounter between Libya’s Swehly SC and KVZ FC of Zanzibar.
Morocco’s RS Berkane will face either Sierra Leone’s Star Sport Academy or Medina United of The Gambia. Egyptian giants Zamalek will start their journey away to AS Port of Djibouti, with the winners advancing to meet Aigles du Congo of DR Congo or Rwanda’s APR FC. Pyramids FC have been paired with Kenyan champions Gor Mahia in the First Preliminary Round of the Champions League. The winners of that tie will then take on either El Merriekh Bentiu of South Sudan or Somalia’s Heegan SC.
East African rivals Simba SC and Young Africans both face trips to the COSAFA region. Simba will take on Malawi’s Mighty Wanderers, while Young Africans meet Botswana representatives Gaborone United. Former champions TP Mazembe face Ghana’s Medeama in another attractive First Preliminary Round tie. The winners will then meet either Tunisia’s Club Africain or Djoliba AC of Mali. The Champions League First Preliminary Round opening legs will be played from September 4-6, with the return fixtures from September 11-13.
The Second Preliminary Round first legs for the Champions League are scheduled for October 16-18, followed by the decisive return matches from October 23-25. The 16 winners from these rounds will advance to the group stage, which is set to begin at the end of November.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
