The first leg of the second preliminary round of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League concluded on Sunday with some eye-catching results, as the race for a place in the group stages of the competition intensifies.

A southern African battle encounter took place in Botswana as Jwaneng Galaxy played host to Orlando Pirates of South Africa.

Coming into the clash as favourites, the Buccaneers were stunned to a 1-0 defeat by the hosts who had a better game plan compared to their neighbors. The result sets up a very interesting return leg in South Africa two weeks from now, as both sides will be gunning for a place in the group stages.

Another southern African side was in action on Sunday as Big Bullets of Zambia played host to former champions, TP Mazembe who secured a 1-0 away win. The result strongly favours the DR Congo side who will be looking at finishing the job in the return leg.

In Mozambique, UD Songo played host to Angola’s Petro De Luanda in a closely tied contest that eventually went 2-1 in favour of the Angolan side.

Looking at the action in Ghana, Medeama overcame Horoya 3-1 at home. The Ghanaians will however be cautious of Horoya in the return leg who will be boosted by the away goal they scored.

North African sides enjoyed good travels in the first leg of the second preliminary round.

Tunisian powerhouse, Esperance overcame AS Douanes 1-0 away from home while CR Belouizdad of Algeria managed a 3-1 victory over BO Rangers of Sierra Leone.

Last season’s competition runners-up, Wydad AC salvaged a draw after a tough encounter with Guinea’s Hafia FC in a clash that ended in a 1-1 stalemate.

The return leg of the second preliminary round takes place on the weekend of 29 September and 1 October, where the group stage teams of the competition will be decided.