The Panthers FC withdraw from CAF Confederation Cup

The club was due to face USM Alger in the second preliminary round.

The Panthers FC, representing Equatorial Guinea, has announced its withdrawal from the 2026–2027 CAF Confederation Cup. Due to the lack of a CAF-approved stadium in Equatorial Guinea, The Panthers FC were forced to play their home matches abroad, a requirement that placed a heavy strain on their finances.

The club explains that it had to incur considerable expenses for travel, accommodation, stadium hire and the organisation of matches. The costs had already begun to mount up in the first preliminary round. Facing ASPAC FC of Benin, the Equatorial Guinean club had to relocate its home match to Cameroon. It then covered the cost of its players’ flights and accommodation, as well as the stadium hire and match officials’ fees.

For the return leg, The Panthers FC then travelled to Lomé, in Togo, where it once again had to cover similar costs. Two matches, two away trips, and a budget already severely depleted.

For this second qualifying round, however, the Equatorial Guinean club had been granted permission to play its home match at the ground of its opponent, USM Alger. This solution might have eased the logistical burden, but it was not enough. The Panthers FC claim they no longer have the means to continue the campaign and have therefore decided to withdraw from the competition.