CAF has confirmed USM Alger’s qualification, as holders, for the group stage of the Confederation Cup following the withdrawal of The Panthers FC, who formalised their forfeit in a statement.
The axe fell before kick-off even arrived. The first leg of the second preliminary round of the Confederation Cup, scheduled for this Tuesday 20 October 2026 at 20:00 at the Stade du 5-Juillet 1962 in Algiers, will never take place. The continental body has rubber-stamped the Algiers side’s qualification for the group stage after the official withdrawal of The Panthers FC, reports Afrik-Foot.
The Equatorial Guinean club formalised its decision in a statement, citing major financial reasons and insurmountable logistical costs. The Rouge et Noir thus reach the continental group stage without having had to play a single minute.
A forfeit announced before the first leg
The first leg was initially due to be held in Douala, Cameroon, before being relocated to Algiers following an agreement to swap the fixtures. The return leg was scheduled for Sunday 25 October at 20:00, also at the Stade du 5-Juillet. The two-legged tie is therefore cancelled in its entirety.
In its statement, The Panthers FC’s management did not hide how difficult the decision was: “Today, heartbroken but with our heads held very high, we find ourselves obliged to communicate the hardest decision in our club’s history: THE PANTHERS FC are withdrawing from the Second Preliminary Round of the CAF TotalEnergies Confederation Cup 2026/2027 against USM Alger.”
A campaign begun as holders
USM Alger, the reigning CAF Confederation Cup champions, were exempt from the first preliminary round by virtue of being the holders of the 2026 edition, Afrik-Foot notes. The Algerian side were therefore due to begin their defence at this second-round stage, before their opponent’s withdrawal opened the group-stage door for them directly. For the holders, the continental campaign thus resumes at the next stage.
The Panthers, for their part, had pulled off a shock in the previous round by beating ASPAC FC in Benin (4-2), after losing 3-1 at home, according to Foot Africa. A home defeat ultimately cancelled out away from home, before financial realities caught up with the Equatorial Guinean club.
A forced rest before the draw
USM Alger’s squad now find themselves forced to rest from competitive action until 29 October, when league matches resume, according to Afrik-Foot. A lighter schedule for the Algiers side, who will not have to manage the two-legged tie originally planned.
The official draw for the group stages of the Champions League and the Confederation Cup remains set for 28 October near Cairo, according to CAF. USM Alger will therefore learn their future opponents the day before their return to domestic competition.