The line-up for the 2023-24 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup group stage will be finalised this weekend when the second legs of the final qualifying round are played.
Egyptian giants Zamalek face a monumental task on Saturday to overturn a 2-0 first leg deficit after shock defeat to Djibouti’s AS Arta Solar.
Arta can make historic first group stage qualification with several stars now playing for the Djiboutian club.
South Africa’s Sekhukhune United, on their debut campaign, hold a 3-1 advantage over DR Congo’s Saint Eloi Lupopo from their opening encounter as they seek to progress.
Angola’s Sagrada Esperanca must rectify a 1-0 first leg loss when they host Mozambique’s Ferroviaro de Maputo this week.
Gaborone United from Botswana have a lifeline after a late 1-1 away draw with South Africa’s Supersport United. The tie is finely poised ahead of the return leg.
Two-time champions RS Berkane rallied from 2-0 down to earn a creditable 2-2 draw away to Nigeria’s Bendel Insurance. The Moroccans now have home advantage to advance.
DR Congo’s Diables Noirs are on the verge of back-to-back group stage qualification after a 2-1 first leg victory away to Zambia’s MUZA FC.
Ethiopia’s Bahir Dar Kenema hold a 2-0 aggregate lead over Tunisia’s Club Africain ahead of their daunting trip to North Africa for the second leg.
Meanwhile Uganda’s Kampala Capital City, Egypt’s Future FC and Nigeria’s Rivers United face uphill tasks to overturn first leg deficits against Libyan, Tanzanian and Burkinabe opponents.
South Sudan’s Al Merreikh Juba, Ghana’s Dreams FC and Mali’s Stade Malien hold narrow first leg advantages to protect at home against Angolan, Sierra Leonean and Burundian rivals.
Defending champions USM Alger of Algeria face Moroccan club FUS Rabat over two legs for a spot in the group stage of Africa’s secondary club competition.