The 2025/26 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup got underway on Friday with two finely balanced first leg encounters.
San Pedro of Côte d’Ivoire struck the only goal of the evening away to Cameroon’s Aigle Royal, while Ethiopia’s Wolayta Dicha and Libya’s Al-Ittihad could not be separated in Addis Ababa.
San Pedro Take the Upper Hand
In Douala, San Pedro showed patience before finding the decisive moment.
After a cagey first half, Kassi Théodore broke the deadlock in the 56th minute, guiding in a composed finish from close range.
Aigle Royal responded with late pressure, pushing numbers forward and testing from range, but San Pedro managed the closing stages with assurance.
The Ivorian side now return home with a clean sheet and a one goal cushion, leaving their opponents needing to score in Abidjan to keep their campaign alive.
Stalemate in Addis Ababa
Meanwhile, Wolayta Dicha and Al-Ittihad played out a tactical battle that ended without goals.
Dicha started brightly, creating chances from wide areas, but found the Libyan defence well drilled and difficult to penetrate.
The visitors grew stronger after the break, hitting the woodwork and threatening on the counter, only for the hosts to reply with late pressure that ultimately lacked cutting edge. The tie remains delicately poised ahead of the second leg in Tripoli.
Road Ahead
Both matchups will be decided next weekend, with extra time and penalties available if required.
San Pedro appear well placed to advance, while Dicha and Al-Ittihad remain locked in a straight shootout.
The Confederation Cup’s first round continues across the continent with 29 more first leg fixtures this weekend, as clubs vie for places in October’s second phase and a path toward the group stage, scheduled to begin in November.
