Mali’s Djoliba AC have handed out 21 motorbikes to their players as part of an incentive drive ahead of the 2025/26 CAF Confederation Cup, where they will face Nigerian debutants Abia Warriors in the preliminary round.

The Bamako giants, who have long dominated Malian domestic football alongside rivals Stade Malien, hope the gifts will help the squad recapture past continental glory, having finished runners-up in the 2012 competition.

Club officials said the motorbikes came with strict conditions — they are to be used exclusively for training and matchday transport.

“The bikes must not be used for social activities or commercial purposes. We presented the gifts to ensure our boys arrive early for matches and achieve success,” a Djoliba official explained.

Motorbikes remain a popular means of transport in West Africa, where the cost of purchasing and maintaining cars is beyond the reach of many.

Djoliba will host Abia Warriors in the first leg of their preliminary tie in September, before travelling to Nigeria for the return leg. Victory would set up a second-round meeting with either USFA of Burkina Faso or AS Gbohloe-Su des Lacs of Togo for a place in the lucrative group stage, which guarantees each club $400,000.

CAF has also doubled its financial support for teams eliminated in the qualifying rounds to $100,000, a move aimed at easing the high travel and accommodation costs across Africa.

Despite Djoliba’s ambitions, history favours North African dominance in the competition — clubs from Algeria, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia have won 17 of the 22 editions. Among the favourites for the upcoming season are Zamalek of Egypt, Wydad Casablanca of Morocco, 2023 champions USM Alger, and Chabab Belouizdad of Algeria.

Reigning champions Renaissance Berkane of Morocco will not defend their crown, having qualified instead for the CAF Champions League.

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The road to continental glory in the CAF Confederation Cup 2025/26 has officially begun following the Preliminary Round draw held at Azam Media Studios in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on Saturday.

Click HERE for the full list of fixtures.

A total of 58 clubs from across Africa will compete in this year’s edition, with several blockbuster fixtures already lined up in the opening rounds.

Six of the continent’s top-ranked clubs – Wydad AC (Morocco), USM Alger (Algeria), CR Belouizdad (Algeria), Zamalek SC (Egypt), Al Masry SC (Egypt), and Stellenbosch FC (South Africa) – have been handed byes into the Second Preliminary Round based on CAF Club Rankings.

In one of the standout ties, Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko will face fellow West Africans Kwara United of Nigeria, with the winners taking on Moroccan powerhouse Wydad AC in the next round.

Senegal’s Génération Foot meet Côte d’Ivoire’s Amadou Diallo FC, with the winners set for a showdown against former CAF Confederation Cup champions USM Alger.

Another intriguing clash sees Hafia FC of Guinea battle Algeria’s CR Belouizdad, while Burkina Faso’s USFA host Nigeria’s Abia Warriors, with Mali’s Djoliba AC awaiting in the Second Preliminary Round.

Elsewhere, Tanzania’s Azam FC will have to navigate past Zanzibar’s KMKM SC and South Sudan’s El Merriekh Bentiu for a place in the next stage, while Uganda’s NEC FC take on Sudan’s Al Ahli Madani, with Tunisia’s Étoile Sportive du Sahel awaiting the winners.

Zambia’s Zesco United lock horns with Malawi’s Mighty Wanderers for a potential tie against Botswana’s Jwaneng Galaxy, while DR Congo’s second representative will meet Angola’s Kabuscrop de Palanca for a spot against South Africa’s Kaizer Chiefs.

The draw has also thrown up regional derbies, debut appearances for ambitious newcomers, and the prospect of titanic North African clashes in the latter stages.

The journey to glory will begin with the Preliminary Round, played over two legs on the weekends of 19–21 September and 26–28 September 2025. Victors will advance to the Second Preliminary Round on 17–19 October, with the return legs a week later from 24–26 October.

The successful sides will earn their place in the Group Stage, which kicks off on 21 November 2025.

From there, the best of the best will battle through to the knockout stage, starting on 13 March 2026, with the dream of lifting African football’s most coveted club trophies.

-Cafonline

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By KUNLE SOLAJA.

In the CAF Confederation Cup, the age-old Nigeria–Ghana football rivalry will be reignited as Asante Kotoko host Kwara United in the first leg. Asante Kotoko were African champions in 1970 and 1983.

This is their seventh appearance in the CAF Confederation Cup. The Ghanaian side, which will host the first leg, has also featured in the old CAF Winners Cup seven times.

Kwara United are also not newcomers on the continental stage. This will be their third venture at the CAF Confederation Cup after those of 2007 and the 2022/23 season. They were quarter finalists in the 1999 edition of the old-styled CAF Cup.

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