Sundowns Eliminated as Pirates Fly South African Flag in CAF Champions League

The 16 teams that have qualified for the CAF Champions League group stages have been confirmed following the conclusion of the second-round matches over the weekend. The biggest surprise was the elimination of defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns, who failed to progress after losing their tie against Angolan side Wiliete SC.

South Africa will have only one representative in the group stages this season, with Orlando Pirates securing qualification while Sundowns suffered an unexpected exit in the preliminary rounds. The situation is different from last season, when Sundowns represented the country at this stage of the competition.

Sundowns were eliminated after playing to a 1-1 aggregate draw against Wiliete, who advanced on the away-goals rule. The result was a major disappointment for the Pretoria-based club, who had hoped to continue their continental campaign and defend their title. Wiliete, meanwhile, achieved an important milestone by reaching the group stages.

Orlando Pirates enjoyed a more comfortable qualification campaign, defeating African Stars 5-0 on aggregate to book their place among Africa’s leading clubs. The Buccaneers will now turn their attention to the group-stage draw as they prepare to compete for the continental title.

Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and Tanzania will each have two teams in the group stages. Egypt will be represented by Pyramids FC and Zamalek SC, while Morocco’s qualified clubs are MAS de Fès and RS Berkane. Tunisia will have Espérance and Club Africain, with Simba SC and Young Africans representing Tanzania.

The other qualified teams are Al Hilal Omdurman of Sudan, Colombe Sportive of Cameroon, FC Nouadhibou of Mauritania, Horoya AC of Guinea, MC Alger of Algeria, Petro Atlético and Wiliete SC of Angola, and Orlando Pirates of South Africa.

South African coaches Steve Barker and Manqoba Mngqithi have also guided their respective teams into the group stages. Barker qualified with Simba SC, while Mngqithi progressed with Young Africans. However, Mngqithi has reportedly been dismissed by Young Africans after the team fell five points behind their rivals in the domestic league.

The Confederation of African Football has confirmed that the group-stage draw will take place at the Egyptian Football Association headquarters in Cairo on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, at 14:00 South African time. The 16 clubs will be divided into four groups of four teams, with the group stage scheduled to begin in November.

The top two teams from each group will qualify for the quarter-finals, keeping their hopes of winning the continental trophy alive. The eventual champions are expected to receive a record prize of six million US dollars, approximately R100 million.

The CAF Confederation Cup group-stage draw will also take place in Cairo on Wednesday. Durban City will represent South Africa in that competition after Kaizer Chiefs were eliminated in the preliminary rounds by Zambian side Red Arrows following a penalty shootout. The Confederation Cup draw is scheduled for 13:00 South African time.

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