This is the first edition of the Champions League (and Confederation Cup) under new calendar. Competitions are from now on played in late summer - spring calendar, just like in Europe. Preliminary round have been rounded up yesterday and first round is coming up - 16 winners will qualify to the group stage. A record 61 team took part. 29 finished their continental journey. Among those is Simba of Tanzania. They played in quarterfinal in last edition, but they ended their trip against Mozamique side Songo. Orlando Pirates got eliminated against Zambian side Green Eagles. Al Ahly and Zamalek both won their ties 13-0 on aggregate. First round matchups: Al Nasr (LBY) - Raja Casablanca (MAR) JS Kabylie (ALG) - Horoya (GUI) Kara (TOG) - Vita Club (COD) Enyimba (NGA) - Al Hilal (SUD) USM Alger (ALG) - Gor Mahia (KEN) Cano Sport (EQG) - Al Ahly (EGY) Generation Foot (SEN) - Zamalek (EGY) Asante Kotoko (GHA) - Etoile du Sahel (TUN) Petro de Luanda (ANG) - KCCA (UGA) Cote d'Or (SEY) - Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA) Nouadhibou (MTN) - Wydad Casablanca (MAR) Elect Sport (CHD) - Esperance de Tunis (TUN) Young Africans (TAN) - ZESCO (ZAM) Platinum (ZIM) - Songo (MOZ) Green Eagles (ZAM) - Primeiro do Agosto (ANG) Fosa Juniors (MAD) - TP Mazembe (COD) First matches will be played on weekend 13-15 September, return legs are scheduled for 27-29 September. Winners progress to group stage, losers to Confederation Cup playoff. Esperance de Tunis is the title holder.
Quarter-finals 2 Raja Casablanca - TP Mazembe 3 Zamalek - Esperance de Tunis 4 Wydad Casablanca - Etoile du Sahel 1 Al-Ahly - Mamelodi Sundowns Matches to be played on 28-29 February and 6-7 March. Semi-finals winner 2 - winner 3 winner 4 - winner 1 Matches to be played on 1-2 May and 8-9 May. Final To be played on 29 May.