CAF Champions League Recap: North African favorites advance with emphasis

North African giants progressed with ease while sub-Saharan Africa’s top clubs experienced little trouble in a mostly drama-free Saturday from the CAF Champions League.

Algerian champions MC Alger (video above) joined fellow North African sides Espérance Tunis of Tunisia as well as Moroccan titans RS Berkane and AS FAR Rabat in the next stage of qualifying after routine victories on Saturday. MCA struggled against FC Fassell in the first leg played in Liberia but looked more comfortable in a 3-0 second leg victory in front of their supporters.

RS Berkane, winners of last season’s CAF Confederation Cup, leaped out to a 3-0 lead by halftime as they put themselves beyond reach of Togolese club ASC Kara courtesy of two goals from star forward Oussama Lamlioui (video above). Espérance dominated the first leg against Niger’s AS FAN and finished off a lopsided 7-1 victory with their 4-1 second leg result in Tunis.

AS FAR progressed past Gambian champions Real de Banjul (video above) with a 2-1 victory in a clash where both legs were played in Morocco. The only North African club to fall was Al Hilal Benghazi of Libya, who were defeated by Guinean top club Horoya AC with a 2-0 second leg victory. Horoya star forward Yakhouba Gnagna Barry inspired the win with a spectacular bicycle kick.

Orlando Pirates of South Africa had an easy time in a clash that was already well decided after the first leg, progressing with a dominant 4-0 second leg victory (7-0 aggregate) over Lesotho’s Lioli FC. Tanzanian champions Young Africans, Angola’s Petro de Luanda and legendary Malian club Stade Malien all progressed with ease as well.

The only notable drama came early on Saturday when Mozambican champions Black Bulls needed penalty kicks to fight off Republic of Congo’s AC Leopard. Silver Strikers of Malawi and Burundi’s Aigle Noir each needed the away goals rule to progress after draws on Saturday.

Ethiopian Insurance held off a second leg charge from Zanzibar’s Mlandege to hang on for a 4-3 aggregate victory while Uganda’s Vipers SC also did well to manage a close tie with Namibian club African Stars, winning 1-0 at home to duplicate the first leg result.

😲Defensive error from African Stars FC defender, Ngaruka.

Aggregate: 🇺🇬Vipers 2-0 African Stars🇳🇦#CAFChampionsleague pic.twitter.com/NhJutiTsXx

— 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐲 𝐍𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐚 🇳🇦 (@FootyNamibia) September 27, 2025

Sunday will feature plenty more action as the first round approaches its conclusion with the exception of a couple of clashes that are beginning with the first leg this weekend.

CAF Champions League: Saturday Results

ASAS (DJI) 1-1 Aigle Noir (BDI)

• Tied 1-1 on aggregate. Aigle Noir advance via the away goals rule.

Black Bulls (MOZ) 0-0 AC Leopard (COG)

• Tied 0-0 on aggregate. Black Bulls advance 5-4 in a penalty shootout.

Orlando Pirates (RSA) 4-0 Lioli FC (LES)

• Orlando Pirates advance 7-0 on aggregate.

Silver Strikers (MWI) 0-0 Elgeco Plus (MDG)

• Tied 1-1 on aggregate. Silver Strikers advance via the away goals rule.

Saint-Éloi Lupopo (DRC) 1-0 Al Merrikh (SDN)

• First leg. Second leg will be played on October 4.

Mlandege FC (ZAN) 3-2 Ethiopian Insurance (ETH)

• Ethiopian Insurance advance 4-3 on aggregate.

Young Africans (TZA) 2-0 Wiliete (ANG)

• Young Africans advance 5-0 on aggregate.

Horoya AC (GUI) 2-0 Al Hilal Benghazi (LBY)

• Horoya AC advance 2-1 on aggregate.

Petro de Luanda (ANG) 3-0 Cercle de Joachim (MUS)

• Petro de Luanda advance 6-0 on aggregate.

Vipers SC (UGA) 1-0 African Stars (NAM)

• Vipers SC advance 2-0 on aggregate.

Esperance ST (TUN) 4-1 AS FAN (NER)

• Esperance ST advance 7-1 on aggregate.

AS FAR Rabat (MAR) 2-1 Real de Banjul (GAM)

• AS FAR Rabat advance 4-1 on aggregate.

MC Alger (ALG) 3-0 FC Fassell (LBR)

• MC Alger advance 3-0 on aggregate.

Stade Malien (MLI) 2-0 Tempete MOCAF (CAF)

• Stade Malien advance 7-0 on aggregate.

RS Berkane (MAR) 3-1 ASC Kara (TOG)

• RS Berkane advance 4-2 on aggregate.