Notably two team take part in the competition that do not currently play in their national top-division.

They are Barrack Young Controllers II (2nd tier) and Génération Foot (2nd).

[3] For the first time, some rounds of matches were officially scheduled in midweek (in italics) instead of on weekends.

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

The draw for the play-off round was held on 21 April 2016, 14:00 EET (UTC+2), at the CAF Headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.

The draw for the group stage was held on 24 May 2016, 14:30 EET (UTC+2), at the CAF headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.

If tied on points, tiebreakers would be applied in the following order (Regulations III.