Gifted Markson
The battle for continental glory officially gets underway this week as the Confédération of Africain Football (CAF) kicks off the much-anticipated CAF Interclub 2024/25 season.
The preliminary rounds of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup mark the beginning of an exciting journey toward African club football supremacy.
The First Preliminary Round First Leg will take place between August 16 and 18, with the return leg set to be played between August 23 and 25.
The Second Preliminary Round will follow between September 13 and September 15 for the first legs, with the return legs to confirm the draw for the Group Stages scheduled between September 20 and 22.
As the competition heats up, titleholders Al Ahly SC (Egypt), Esperance Sportive de Tunis (Tunisia), and Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) are among the highest-ranked clubs exempted from the first preliminary round of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League. Similarly, 12 of the highest-ranked clubs in the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup, including holders Zamalek SC, will bypass the first preliminary round.
Despite being the early stages, fans of African football are eager for quality matchups as clubs from across the continent vie to progress to the second round and, ultimately, the group stages of the two prestigious competitions.
Key matches to look out for in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League include reigning Tanzanian champions, the Young Africans, taking on Vital’O FC of Burundi. Egypt’s Pyramids FC, who impressed last season, will face JKU SC of Zanzibar, while former champions Orlando Pirates FC square off against Disciples FC of Madagascar.
In the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup, an intriguing tie will see Zambia’s Zesco United go head-to-head with Dynamos FC of Zimbabwe in what promises to be an action-packed encounter. Morocco’s UTS will host RS Abidjan of Cote d’Ivoire, while Nsoatreman FC of Ghana welcomes TP Elect Sport of the Republic of Chad.
With high stakes and fierce competition, the CAF Interclub 2024/25 season is set to deliver thrilling football action as clubs battle for continental supremacy.