By Emmanuel Nelson Nyarko 
The first preliminary round of the 2026/27 CAF Champions League produced a number of decisive results on Saturday, with several African heavyweights booking their places in the next round.
The race for continental glory continued across Africa on Saturday as clubs battled in the second legs of their first preliminary-round ties.
There was plenty of drama, convincing victories and important aggregate results, with TP Mazembe, Zamalek, Orlando Pirates, Young Africans and Al Hilal Omdurman among the teams to progress.
Mazembe eliminate Medeama
One of the standout ties saw TP Mazembe eliminate Ghanaian champions Medeama SC after a 3-1 victory in Lubumbashi.
Mazembe entered the second leg with a 1-0 advantage from the first meeting in Ghana and strengthened their position when Mwaungulu opened the scoring in the 16th minute.
Baso doubled the Congolese side’s lead eight minutes later before Mwaungulu struck again in the 88th minute to put the tie beyond doubt.
Medeama pulled one back through Amponsah in the sixth minute of stoppage time, but Mazembe secured a 4-1 aggregate victory to advance to the next round.
Zamalek cruise past AS Port
Egyptian giants Zamalek produced one of the day’s biggest victories, defeating Djibouti’s AS Port 4-0 at home.
Abdallah El Said was the star of the evening, scoring a first-half hat-trick inside the opening 18 minutes.
Nasser Mansy added a fourth in stoppage time as Zamalek completed a commanding 6-1 aggregate victory and progressed to the second preliminary round.
Orlando Pirates get the job done
South African giants Orlando Pirates also secured their place in the next round after beating La Cure Waves 3-1.
La Cure Waves stunned the home crowd by taking the lead through Ami in the sixth minute, but Pirates responded quickly.
Kgositsile equalised two minutes later before Sebelebele and Mbuthuma added further goals to give the Buccaneers a 3-1 victory.
The result saw Pirates advance by the same scoreline on aggregate.
Young Africans edge Gaborone United
Tanzanian champions Young Africans survived a competitive tie against Botswana’s Gaborone United.
Shalulile put Yanga ahead in the seventh minute before Touré struck in the 84th minute to seal a 2-1 victory.
Young Africans progressed 3-2 on aggregate and kept their Champions League campaign alive.
Al Hilal and Club Africain advance
Sudanese giants Al Hilal Omdurman defeated Aigle Noir 1-0, with M’Bracek scoring the only goal of the match in the 44th minute.
The victory gave Al Hilal a 3-0 aggregate success.
Club Africain also advanced after playing out a 2-2 draw with Djoliba AC. Despite conceding twice, the Tunisian side progressed 3-2 on aggregate after winning the first leg 1-0.
MC Alger and Petro Atlético progress
Algerian side MC Alger were another team to make a strong statement, thrashing Nigelec 5-0.
Konaté opened the scoring before an own goal, followed by strikes from Bangoura, Boukholda and Nduwumwe, completed a comprehensive victory.
MC Alger advanced 5-0 on aggregate.
Angolan giants Petro Atlético also moved through after a 2-2 draw with HCB Songo. The result was enough for Petro to secure a 3-2 aggregate victory.
More teams through
Elsewhere, African Stars defeated Mangasport 2-0 to advance on away goals after the tie ended 3-3 on aggregate.
El Merreikh Bentiu defeated Heegan 3-0 and progressed 4-0 on aggregate, while Al-Merreikh beat Power Dynamos 1-0 to complete a 2-0 aggregate victory.
CFFA defeated Lijabatho 1-0 and progressed 3-0 on aggregate, while Maghreb Fez held Rahimo to a goalless draw to complete a 4-1 aggregate victory.
Scottland also advanced after a 0-0 draw with Nsingizini Hotspurs, winning the tie 1-0 on aggregate. The first preliminary round is now nearing completion, with the remaining ties set to be decided on Sunday as clubs continue their pursuit of a place in the next stage of Africa’s premier club competition.
Comfort Larry 
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