{
  "id": 5279895,
  "title": "CAF Champions League first preliminary round kicks off",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/caf-champions-league-first-preliminary-round-kicks-off",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-03T08:09:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Ghanaian Times",
    "slug": "ghanaian-times",
    "url": "https://ghanaiantimes.com.gh/caf-champions-league-first-preliminary-round-kicks-off/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The CAF Champions League 2026/27 season kicks off this weekend, September 04-06, with clubs from across Africa competing for the title in the First Preliminary Round. Matches will be played on September 04-06, with return games scheduled for September 11-13. Following the Second Preliminary Round from October 16-18 and return legs from October 23-25, the final 16 clubs per competition will advance to the group stages. A total of 61 clubs entered the tournament, with Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), Espérance Sportive de Tunis (Tunisia), and RS Berkane (Morocco) receiving byes into the Second Preliminary Round. Defending champions and former African champions will vie for advancement in the group stages, while financial support of USD 100,000 per club will be provided for eliminated Preliminary Round participants. Several high-profile matchups await, including TP Mazembe (Democratic Republic of Congo) versus Medeama SC (Ghana), Zamalek (Egypt) against Port of Djibouti (Djibouti), and Simba SC (Tanzania) taking on Mighty Wanderers (Malawi).",
  "summary": "The CAF Champions League 2026/27 season gets underway this coming weekend, September 04-06, with Clubs from across the continent beginning their quest for African glory in the First Preliminary Round of the CAF Champions League. The First Preliminary Round first legs will be played from September 04-06, with the return matches scheduled for September 11-13. … The post CAF Champions League first…",
  "key_points": [
    "CAF Champions League 2026/27 first round begins September 4-6",
    "Espérance Sportive de Tunis, Mamelodi Sundowns, RS Berkane receive byes",
    "High-profile matches include TP Mazembe vs Medeama SC"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}