As a result, a maximum of 67 teams could enter the tournament – although this level has never been reached.

The top twelve sides (shown in bold) received byes to the first qualifying round.

[2] † The second leg of the preliminary round matches are postponed to 25–27 February in case the club have at least three players in the 2011 African Nations Championship.

[6] Qualification ties were decided over two legs, with aggregate goals used to determine the winner.

[7] The winners of the CAF Confederation Cup second round host the second leg at home.