The proposed format, announced on 16 May 2011, began in November 2011 with a first round of 12 two-legged knock-out ties.
The 12 winners joined the remaining 28 CAF entrants in the second round, which consists of 10 groups of 4. The winners of each group - held between June 2012 and September 2013 - advanced to a third round of 5 two-legged knock-out ties.