Zamalek to host both legs of CAF Champions League preliminary round in Cairo

Ahmed Abd El Rasoul , Monday 17 Aug 2026

Zamalek announced on Monday that both legs of their CAF Champions League first preliminary round tie against Djibouti's AS Port will be played in Cairo.

File Photo: Zamalek Midfielder Donga in action during the match against Masry. Photo courtesy of Zamalek

The first leg of the preliminary round will take place between 4 and 6 September, with the return leg scheduled for 11 to 13 September.

The Cairo giants revealed that its management successfully reached an agreement with the Djiboutian side to hold the first leg in Cairo instead of Djibouti, with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) officially notified of the arrangement.

The winner of the tie between Zamalek and AS Port will face the winner of the clash between DR Congo's Eagles and Rwanda's APR FC in the second preliminary round. Zamalek return to Africa's premier club competition after a three-year absence, following their victory in the Egyptian Premier League last season.

The Whites have been crowned as CAF Champions League champions five times before, lifting the trophy in 1984, 1986, 1993, 1996, and 2002.

Zamalek and Pyramids FC will represent Egypt in the CAF Champions League this season, while rivals Ahly, who finished third in the domestic league last campaign, will compete in the CAF Confederation Cup alongside Egypt Cup runners-up ZED FC.

Also on Monday, Pyramids FC announced that CAF informed the club that their first leg game of the preliminary round against Kenya's Gor Mahia FC will be played on 6 September.

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