RS Berkane and Esperance Tunis qualify for the Champions League

The RS Berkane has successfully qualified for the final stages of the African Champions League after beating Star Sport Academy in the second preliminary round. The Moroccan club won the home return match 1-0 thanks to a goal scored by Youssef Mehri in the second half.

Meanwhile, Esperance de Tunis has secured its historic qualification for the twenty-fourth consecutive year. The Tunisian club defeated Swehly of Libya after winning the first leg 1-0 and drawing 1-1 away, followed by a victory in the penalty shootout (3-1).

At the same time, Côte d'Ivoire lost its first participating club this year. AFAD Plateau was defeated by CS Sfaxien in the return match and failed to qualify for the CAF Cup.

The defending champions, Mamelodi Sundowns, were surprisingly eliminated by Wiliete SC after drawing 1-1 over two matches. The South African club was beaten in a penalty shootout at its own stadium, marking a major surprise for the competition.