The road to continental glory narrowed on Sunday as 20 clubs booked their places in the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup.

In the Champions League, 12 sides progressed after a dramatic weekend of football. Tunisia’s Monastir and Algeria’s JS Kabylie turned on the style, scoring a combined 14 goals over two legs—Monastir crushing East End Lions 7–1 on aggregate and Kabylie dismantling Bibiani Gold Stars 7–0.

Elsewhere, Kenya Police edged Mogadishu City on away goals despite a 2–0 defeat, while Power Dynamos survived a scare against ASEC, winning 5–4 on penalties after a 1–1 aggregate. Nsingizini Hotspurs and Rahimo also held their nerve in shootouts to advance.

Big names like Al-Hilal, Colombe, Al Ahly Tripoli, Rivers United, and FC Nouadhibou all rose to the occasion, overturning first-leg stalemates with decisive second-leg victories. Simba SC’s 1–0 first-leg win proved crucial as they held Gaborone United to a 1–1 draw to move through.

Two ties remain: Al-Merrikh must overturn a 1–0 deficit against FC Saint-Éloi Lupopo on 4 October, while defending champions Pyramids FC kick off their campaign against APR on 5 October in Cairo.

The CAF Confederation Cup produced its own fireworks. Morocco’s OC Safi and Zambia’s ZESCO United ran riot, scoring five each to cruise into the next round. Tanzania’s Azam, Burkina Faso’s USFA, and Ghana’s Asante Kotoko all delivered home-and-away victories. AS Otohô held Primeiro de Agosto to a goalless draw to seal a 2–1 aggregate win, while Djoliba edged Abia Warriors 2–1 overall. Flambeau du Centre prevailed in a thrilling 4–3 aggregate over Al Akhdar after a 2–2 second-leg draw.

A few ties are still alive: Pamplemousses host Maniema Union on 3 October trailing 2–1, while Djabal travel to Lubumbashi to face FC Simba, looking to overturn a 1–0 first-leg deficit.

The stage is set for a gripping second preliminary round as Africa’s finest continue their quest for continental supremacy.