CAF Champions League round of 32 opens with away wins for giants and early shocks

Tuesday 21st October 2025

by inAfrika Newsroom

CAF Champions League first-leg ties produced decisive away wins and a handful of early shocks across the continent. The CAF Champions League round of 32 opened October 17–19 with champions and former winners tightening their grip, while several debutants held firm. Officials said attendance and broadcast interest rose as clubs chased group-stage revenue.

Record participation this season has amplified competitive balance, CAF noted. Moreover, scheduling tweaks and officiating appointments aim to reduce bottlenecks seen in prior editions. Therefore, coaches emphasized clean sheets away from home and set-piece efficiency. CAF said the 2025/26 campaign formally kicked off with a “record club participation” slate.

On Friday, Kenya Police fell 0–1 at home to Al-Hilal Omdurman. Meanwhile, Tunisia’s US Monastir suffered a 0–3 defeat to Algeria’s JS Kabylie as the visitors struck twice after the hour. The weekend also saw Aigle Noir of Burundi lose 0–1 to Egypt’s Al Ahly, with the decisive moment recorded as an own goal. In addition, several ties remain finely poised ahead of next week’s second legs.

Coaches pointed to travel and fixture congestion as key variables. However, analysts said depth will separate contenders from hopefuls once the calendar tightens. In North Africa, heavyweights pursued statement results to secure rotation room before domestic derbies. Conversely, Central and East African sides leaned on compact shapes and counterattacks to limit damage, hoping to overturn margins at home.

Why it matters: the CAF Champions League group stage delivers prize money, continental exposure and transfer pathways. Clubs that advance typically boost gate receipts and sponsorship value. Moreover, strong continental runs can stabilize budgets and sharpen player markets ahead of January windows.

Discipline and set plays again decided tight contests. Therefore, staff focused on defending second balls and avoiding cheap bookings that trigger suspensions. In addition, several teams flagged travel logistics and late kickoffs as operational risks that can sap recovery time between legs.

Second-leg fixtures begin this weekend with thin margins on multiple ties. If away-goal pressure and fatigue bite, expect conservative openings and late substitutions to chase aggregate swings. Ultimately, the CAF Champions League field will narrow quickly; the sides that manage tempo and transition moments should secure the lucrative group berths.