CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: POWER DRAW AL MERREIKH

Zambian champions Power Dynamos have been handed a challenging CAF Champions League preliminary-round tie after being drawn against Sudanese giants Al Merreikh.

The Kitwe-based side will begin their continental campaign away from home, with the first leg scheduled to take place between 4 and 6 September 2026 before Power Dynamos host the Sudanese giants in the return fixture a week later.

The tie presents Power Dynamos with an immediate test as they look to once again make their mark in Africa’s premier club competition.

Qualification will be decided over two legs, with the aggregate winner advancing to the next stage of the competition.

Should Power Dynamos overcome Al Merreikh, they will face either JS Saoura of Algeria or Horoya FC of Guinea in the pre-group stage.

That next round is scheduled for 16-18 October, with the return fixtures set for 23-25 October 2026.

Power Dynamos will draw confidence from their impressive continental campaign last season, when the Zambian champions reached the CAF Champions League group stage.

The challenge now is to reproduce that level of performance against an experienced Al Merreikh side and give themselves a strong platform to progress deeper into the competition.

For the defending Zambian champions, the preliminary-round tie will also provide an early measure of their readiness for another demanding season domestically and on the continent.

The first meeting in Sudan will be particularly important, with Power Dynamos hoping to return home with a result before completing the tie in front of their supporters in Zambia.