By Towncrier Editorial Desk
The final second-leg qualifiers for the 2026/27 CAF Champions League produced major upsets on Sunday, 25 October, as Tunisia’s Club Africain eliminated five-time champions TP Mazembe and Morocco’s MAS Fès advanced at the expense of ASEC Mimosas. Tanzania’s Simba SC also booked a group-stage place with an emphatic aggregate win, joining domestic rivals Young Africans among the continent’s final sixteen clubs.
Club Africain end Mazembe’s campaign
Club Africain returned from the first leg in Lubumbashi with a 1–1 draw and completed the tie in Tunisia with a 1–0 victory, progressing 2–1 on aggregate. According to CAF’s official report, the result sends the Tunisian side into the group stage for the first time since the 2018/19 season. For TP Mazembe, whose five continental titles reflect a formidable history, the early exit is a notable setback.
MAS Fès deliver late drama
Morocco’s MAS Fès secured qualification against Ivorian club ASEC Mimosas with a goal deep into second-half stoppage time. CAF reported that the decisive strike came seven minutes into added time, sending the Moroccan side through and ending ASEC’s campaign. The result illustrates how narrow the margins can be in two-legged knockout football, where one late moment can overturn expectations.
Simba complete a dominant tie
In Dar es Salaam, Simba defeated Equatorial Guinea’s 15 de Agosto 3–0 to complete a 9–1 aggregate victory. CAF’s match report confirms that Anicet Oura opened the scoring in the 57th minute, Elie Mpanzu added a second in the 69th and Matlala Makgalwa completed the win in the 78th. Simba had established a commanding advantage with a 6–1 away win in the first leg.
Two Tanzanian clubs in the last sixteen
Simba’s qualification means Tanzania will have two representatives in the group stage, alongside Young Africans. The presence of both clubs is a significant achievement for Tanzanian football and creates additional opportunities for domestic supporters to follow continental competition. Group-stage participation also demands squad depth, travel planning and sustained performance against stronger opposition.
Al Hilal and Nouadhibou progress
Sudan’s Al Hilal also advanced from Sunday’s fixtures, as did Mauritania’s FC Nouadhibou, who overcame Côte d’Ivoire’s FC San Pedro. Their qualification completes a varied field of clubs from across the continent. The results demonstrate that the group stage is not confined to teams from the largest domestic leagues.
Established names under pressure
The elimination of Mazembe and ASEC Mimosas is a reminder that past continental achievements do not guarantee present success. Two-legged ties reward disciplined defending, away performances and the ability to respond under pressure. Conversely, qualification by ambitious challengers can strengthen competitive interest in the tournament.
A new phase begins
The group stage brings a different challenge from the preliminary rounds: clubs must compete across multiple fixtures against several opponents rather than manage a single two-legged tie. Squad rotation, travel, consistency and home performances will become increasingly important. The next draw will establish the groups and fixtures for the coming phase.
A follow-up to Saturday’s results
Sunday’s outcomes follow Saturday’s qualification of clubs including Zamalek, Pyramids and Horoya, covered separately by Towncrier Africa in its earlier report. Together, the weekend’s results complete the preliminary stage and set up a new chapter in the competition.
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