The time has come. The hunt for Africa’s most coveted football trophies officially begins this week, as the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup kick off their Preliminary Rounds. This isn’t just the start of another football season—it’s the ignition of dreams, the spark that could set entire nations on fire with pride or send them plummeting into despair. For the clubs involved, this is more than just sport; it’s war.
From August 16 to 18, 2024, the first leg of the First Preliminary Round will take place, with the return leg scheduled between August 23 to 25. But make no mistake, these aren’t just warm-up matches—they’re survival battles. The clubs that advance will be those who have the grit to endure, and the brilliance to shine under pressure. The stakes are high because, in football, there are no guarantees.
While these early rounds will see lesser-known teams duking it out, the real behemoths of African football—Al Ahly SC, Esperance Sportive de Tunis, and Mamelodi Sundowns—are biding their time. Exempted from the First Preliminary Round, these titans are not just resting; they are sharpening their swords. These clubs have earned the luxury of waiting, but rest assured, they’re not waiting idly. They’re watching, analyzing, and preparing to assert their dominance when their time comes.
Similarly, in the CAF Confederation Cup, heavyweights like Zamalek SC are sitting out the initial skirmishes, ready to swoop in when the dust settles. But for now, all eyes are on the daring underdogs who must fight tooth and nail to survive the brutal first round.
As we look ahead to the first round, some matchups are already raising eyebrows. Tanzanian champions Young Africans are set to face Vital’O FC of Burundi in what promises to be a no-holds-barred clash. This isn’t just a game—it’s a battle for pride, a fight for the right to keep the dream alive.
Egypt’s Pyramids FC, a club that stunned everyone with their remarkable run last season, now faces JKU SC of Zanzibar. Pyramids are expected to dominate, but in football, underestimating your opponent is a dangerous game.
Orlando Pirates, the South African juggernaut with a history of triumphs, will go head-to-head with Disciples FC of Madagascar. For the Pirates, this isn’t just a match—it’s a mission to reassert their status as African royalty.
Over in the CAF Confederation Cup, the clash between Zambia’s Zesco United and Zimbabwe’s Dynamos FC is set to be explosive. Both teams are known for their never-say-die attitude, and this encounter is poised to be one for the ages.
Meanwhile, Morocco’s UTS will host RS Abidjan of Côte d’Ivoire in a match that could go either way, and Ghana’s Nsoatreman FC will welcome TP Elect Sport of Chad, both sides knowing that a slip-up could cost them everything.
