The 2016 CAF Confederation Cup qualifying rounds were played from 12 February to 18 May 2016.
[1] A total of 59 teams competed in the qualifying rounds to decide the eight places in the group stage of the 2016 CAF Confederation Cup.
[2] The draw for the preliminary, first and second rounds was held on 11 December 2015 in Dakar, Senegal.
[3][4] The entry round of the 55 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.
Vita Club Mokanda won 6–5 on penalties.
MC Oran won on walkover after Wallidan withdrew.
Deportivo Mongomo won 4–2 on penalties.The CAF announced on 2 March 2016 that UMS de Loum won on walkover after Deportivo Mongomo were disqualified for fielding an ineligible player.
JKU won on walkover after Gaborone United withdrew.
Vita Club Mokanda won 1–0 on aggregate.
Espérance de Tunis won 7–0 on aggregate.
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.
[12] The eight winners of the play-off round advanced to the group stage.
Medeama won on away goals.The CAF announced on 24 May 2016 that Mamelodi Sundowns won their Champions League second round tie on walkover after AS Vita Club were disqualified for fielding an ineligible player in their preliminary round tie against Mafunzo.
[13] Mamelodi Sundowns played in the Confederation Cup play-off round before they were reinstated to the Champions League.