Algerian club USM Alger have become the first team to qualify for the 2026/27 CAF Confederation Cup group stage after their opponents, The Panthers FC of Equatorial Guinea, withdrew from the competition due to financial difficulties.
The withdrawal means USM Alger will advance directly to the group stage without playing their second-round preliminary qualifying match, which was scheduled to bring the two teams together.
This development has secured USM Alger a place among the teams competing in the group stage of this season’s CAF Confederation Cup, while other clubs continue battling through the preliminary rounds in pursuit of qualification.
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