2016 CAF Champions League qualifying rounds


The 2016 CAF Champions League qualifying rounds were played from 12 February to 20 April 2016. A total of 55 teams competed in the qualifying rounds to decide the eight places in the group stage of the 2016 CAF Champions League.

Draw


The draw for the preliminary, first and second rounds was held on 11 December 2015 in Dakar, Senegal.

The entry round of the 55 teams entered into the draw was determined by their performances in the CAF competitions for the previous five seasons.
Entry roundFirst roundPreliminary round
Teams

Format


In the qualifying rounds, each tie was played on a home-and-away two-legged basis. If the aggregate score was tied after the second leg, the away goals rule would be applied, and if still tied, extra time would not be played, and the penalty shoot-out would be used to determine the winner.

Schedule

The schedule of each round was as follows.
RoundFirst legSecond leg
Preliminary round12–14 February 201626–28 February 2016
First round11–13 March 201618–20 March 2016
Second round8–10 April 201619–20 April 2016

Bracket


The eight winners of the second round advanced to the group stage, while the eight losers of the second round entered the Confederation Cup play-off round.

Preliminary round

The preliminary round included the 46 teams that did not receive byes to the first round.

First round

The first round included 32 teams: the 23 winners of the preliminary round, and the 9 teams that received byes to this round.

Second round

The second round included the 16 winners of the first round.