Last season’s edition of the competition drew a lot of attention, both across the continent and globally thanks to the highly competitive and ever-growing standard of the competition.
Taking a look at the fixtures taking place this weekend, 2016 champions Mamelodi Sundowns kick things off with a trip to Burundi to face Bumamuru FC in the only fixture scheduled for Friday.
A feast of African football awaits on Saturday with a number of fixtures lined-up across the continent.
The two giants of Tanzanian football are away from home in the first round with Simba AC heading to Zambia to face Power Dynamos while their rivals and last season’s TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup runners-up, Young Africans travel to Sudan to face Al-Merrikh.
In Tunisia, Etoile Sportive du Sahel play host to Morocco’s AS FAR in a tough north African duel.
On Sunday, 2013 runners-up, Orlando Pirates travel to neighboring country, Botswana to face Jwaneng Galaxy in what could be a tricky encounter for the South Africans against a spirited Galaxy side out to cause an upset.
Former champions and last season’s runners-up, Wydad Athletic Club travel to Conakry, Guinea to face Hafia FC, who will be looking at getting a result at home before travelling up north.
In Libya, Al Ahly Benghazi welcome Ivorian powerhouse, Asec Mimosas who are looking at reclaiming their number one spot on the continent after last lifting the continental title in 1998.
The first leg rounds of the second preliminary stage concludes with an interesting tie between current champions, Al Ahly, who will be fresh from the CAF Super Cup to face Saint George in Ethiopia.
CAF Champions league Fixtures:
Friday, 15 September
Bumamuru FC vs Mamelodi Sundowns 13h00 GMT
Saturday, 16 September
Al-Merrikh vs Young Africans 13h00 GMT
Power Dynamos vs Simba AC 13h00 GMT
ES Sahel vs AS Far 15h00 GMT
Real Bamako vs Nouadhibou 16h00 GMT
Sunday, 17 September
UD Songo vs Petro de Luanda 13h00 GMT
Big Bullets vs TP Mazembe 13h00 GMT
Jwaneng Galaxy vs Orlando Pirates 13h00 GMT
APR vs Pyramids FC 13h00 GMT
Primero de Agosto vs Al-Hilal 15h00 GMT
Medeama vs Horoya 15h00 GMT
Douanes vs ES Tunis 16h00 GMT
Bo Rangers vs CR Belouizdad 16h00 GMT
Hafia vs Wydad 16h00 GMT
Al-Ahly Benghazi vs Asec Mimosas 17h00 GMT
Saint George vs Al Ahly 17h00 GMT
