CAF Roundup: Tusker Advance, Gor Mahia Out, Yanga Win Big As Panthers Pull Out

CAF Confederation Cup

Kenya's Tusker FC kept the country's continental hopes alive after Gor Mahia's heavy CAF Champions League exit, with the Brewers advancing to the Confederation Cup second preliminary round on a weekend where Tanzania's Young Africans thrashed CFFA 4-0, South Africa's Durban City secured a 3-1 win over AS Port Louis, and Equatorial Guinea's Panthers FC withdrew from their tie against USM Alger due to financial constraints.

Tusker FC stunned at home by Singida in Confederation Cup first leg...

Tusker FC face an uphill battle in the return leg of the CAF Confederation Cup after suffering a 1-0 home defeat to Singida Black Stars at Nyayo Stadium on Sunday.

Jeancy Mboma struck the winner in the 52nd minute of the second preliminary round first leg, handing the Tanzanian side a vital advantage heading into the second leg.

The deadlock was broken seven minutes after the restart, as Mboma fired Singida Black Stars in front in the all-East African clash.

Despite home advantage, Tusker were guilty of squandering several openings, with Nigerian striker Victor Mbaoma the biggest offender.

Tusker are now Kenya's last hope on the continental stage after FKF Premier League champions Gor Mahia were dumped out of the CAF Champions League, thrashed 7-1 on aggregate by Egypt's Pyramids FC in the opening preliminary round.

FULL TIME at the Nyayo National Stadium. A narrow defeat at home, but lots to believe for the final 90. #KenyaMilele #GameNiYetu https://t.co/8sqvXxKKTY

— Tusker FC (@tusker_fc) October 18, 2026

Tusker had reached the second preliminary round by seeing off Sudan's Al Ahli Wad Madani 3-2 on aggregate - held to a 2-2 draw away before grinding out a 1-0 win at home to advance.

In another Confederation Cup tie on Sunday, South Africa's Durban City took a big step towards the next round with a 3-1 first-leg victory over AS Port Louis of Mauritius.

Haashim Domingo, Gaston Sirino and Tashreeq Morris were all on target for the South Africans, who will carry a two-goal lead into the return leg next weekend.

Panthers FC Withdraw From Confederation Cup As Yanga Receive Walkover

Equatorial Guinea's Panthers FC have pulled out of the second preliminary round of the 2026/27 CAF Confederation Cup, blaming severe financial constraints that have made it impossible to continue in the competition.

The club had been due to face Algerian giants USM Alger, but the cost of staging their home games outside Equatorial Guinea has forced them to end their campaign, despite attempts to find a more affordable solution.

The club's troubles are rooted in the lack of a CAF-approved stadium in Equatorial Guinea, which forced them to play their home fixtures abroad and incur heavy costs for travel, lodging, stadium hire and general match organization.

In the first preliminary round against Benin's ASPAC FC, Panthers staged their home leg in Cameroon, footing the bill for flights, accommodation for the entire squad, stadium rental and officials' expenses, before flying to Lome, Togo for the return leg, where they again covered flights, lodging and feeding for a full week.

Having exhausted their budget, Panthers had asked CAF to approve Mongomo Stadium to host the first leg against USM Alger. However, the inspection they requested was never conducted, forcing the club to look for an alternative venue.

In the Champions League, Young Africans put on a dominant display to cruise to an emphatic 4-0 win over CFFA.

The Tanzanian giants eventually broke down a stubborn opposition after a tight first half, hitting four goals to seize complete control of the tie.

The deadlock was broken in the 40th minute when Cheik Toure opened the scoring to hand Young Africans a vital advantage going into the break.

FT’| #CAFCL CFFA 0🆚4 Young Africans SC #TimuYaWananchi #DaimaMbeleNyumaMwiko https://t.co/kDm0PJrW56

— Young Africans SC (@YoungAfricansSC) October 17, 2026

Young Africans came out after the interval with greater urgency and swiftly killed off the contest. Albert Kangwane doubled their lead in the 48th minute, before Yahya Abbas made it 3-0 just seven minutes later.

The visitors kept up the pressure, with Maxi Nzenge adding a fourth in the 59th minute to cap a ruthless period of dominance.