The 2018 CAF Champions League qualifying rounds were played from 10 February to 18 March 2018.[1] A total of 59 teams competed in the qualifying rounds to decide the 16 places in the group stage of the 2018 CAF Champions League.[2]
Draw
The draw for the preliminary round and first round was held on 13 December 2017 at the CAF headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.[3][4]
The entry round of the 59 teams entered into the draw was determined by their performances in the CAF competitions for the previous five seasons (CAF 5-year ranking points shown in parentheses).
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 (Regulations III. 13 & 14).[2]
Schedule
The schedule of each round was as follows (matches scheduled in midweek in italics).[1]
Round
First leg
Second leg
Preliminary round
9–11 February 2018
20–21 February 2018
First round
6–7 March 2018
16–18 March 2018
Bracket
The bracket of the draw was announced by the CAF on 13 December 2017.[3][4]