CAF Confederation Cup qualifiers shock Kaizer Chiefs as African club football upsets shake group stage race

The TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup qualifiers have started wild this October, and fans now have new teams to watch. Big names are suddenly fighting to stay alive.

The second preliminary round first legs were played 16-18 October 2026, with 32 teams chasing 16 group stage places. The return legs are 23-25 October. Here is what shook the table.

The most surprising result

The biggest shock so far is Red Arrows 1-0 Kaizer Chiefs in Zambia on 17 October.

Chiefs are four-time South African champions and were heavy favourites, but Red Arrows scored early and held on at home. It was listed by multiple round-ups as the upset of the weekend. In everyday terms, a Zambian team that most casual fans don't know beat one of South Africa's biggest clubs.

Two other results also turned heads:

• El Kanemi Warriors 2-2 Raja Casablanca in Nigeria. Raja are two-time winners of this cup, but Nigerian side El Kanemi, newly promoted back to NPFL, held them. El Kanemi led, Raja came back twice, and now Raja must win in Casablanca to avoid embarrassment.
• ES Zarzis 1-3 Real Bamako — Tunisian side Zarzis, playing at home, lost heavily to Mali's Real Bamako. That 3-1 away win puts Bamako in control.

And one strange result off the pitch: The Panthers FC of Equatorial Guinea withdrew against USM Alger because they could not afford to host their home leg in Cameroon after their own stadium failed CAF inspection. USM Alger became the first team to qualify without kicking a ball in this round.

Which clubs are now in trouble

Three former champions are now in real danger:

• Kaizer Chiefs — Must overturn 1-0 away to Red Arrows. A 0-0 draw at home in Johannesburg will knock them out.
• Raja Casablanca — Drew 2-2 in Maiduguri after travelling far to Nigeria. Now they need a win at home or they go out on away goals pressure.
• CS Sfaxien — Three-time champions, drew 1-1 away to AFAD Amadou Diallo in Ivory Coast. Tie is level and Sfaxien must win in Sfax on 24 October.

Also under pressure: FAR Rabat drew 0-0 away at Korhogo in Ivory Coast, so they need a win at home in Morocco, and ZED FC of Egypt drew 1-1 with Azam FC and must now win in Tanzania.

On the other side, Al Ahli Tripoli crushed Welwalo Adigrat 4-0 and Maniema Union won 4-1 at Kabuscorp in Angola — both almost through.

Why upsets make African club football fun

This is why fans love the Confederation Cup.

First, money does not always win. USM Alger, Al Ahly, Raja and Kaizer Chiefs have big budgets, but Red Arrows and Real Bamako showed that home energy and smart defending can beat history. A Zambian defence stopping Chiefs is the same joy as a small NPFL club holding Raja.

Second, it gives new teams to watch. Before this weekend, who talked about Singida Black Stars? They beat Kenya's Tusker 1-0 in Nairobi with a 52nd minute goal by Jeancy Mboma, and now Tanzanian fans have a new continental story.

Third, it makes the second legs unmissable. With so many 1-1, 0-0 and 2-2 draws, the return legs on 24-25 October will be like finals. No team can rest.

For African club football, upsets are not just surprise — they are how the next big club is born.

Photo suggestion: Match action from Red Arrows vs Kaizer Chiefs in Ndola, Zambia — Red Arrows forward pressing, or El Kanemi Warriors celebrating their equaliser vs Raja in Maiduguri.