Updates: All 16 Teams For CAFCL Group Stages Confirmed

NEWS HUB CREATOR • 1h ago

The 16 teams that have qualified for the group stages of the 2026/27 CAF Champions League have been confirmed following this weekend’s second-round preliminary matches, which saw defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns suffer a surprising elimination.

South Africa will once again have just one representative in the group stages. However, unlike last season, Orlando Pirates have secured qualification while Sundowns have been knocked out before reaching the main competition.

Masandawana suffered a disappointing 1-1 aggregate defeat against Angola’s Wiliete SC, who advanced on the away-goals rule. Pirates, on the other hand, comfortably booked their place in the group stages after defeating Botswana’s African Stars 5-0 on aggregate.

Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and Tanzania will each have two representatives in the competition. Former champions Pyramids FC, Espérance, Zamalek SC and MC Alger have also successfully qualified.

South African coaches Steve Barker and Manqoba Mngqithi will feature in the group stages with Simba SC and Young Africans, respectively. However, Mngqithi has reportedly been dismissed by Young Africans despite securing qualification, following the club’s disappointing league form.

The 16 qualified teams are Al Hilal Omdurman, Club Africain, Colombe Sportive, Espérance, FC Nouadhibou, Horoya AC, MAS de Fès, MC Alger, Orlando Pirates, Petro Atlético, Pyramids FC, RS Berkane, Simba SC, Wiliete SC, Young Africans and Zamalek SC.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has scheduled the group-stage draw for Wednesday, 28 October 2026, at the Egyptian Football Association headquarters in Cairo. The ceremony is set to begin at 15:00 local time, which is 14:00 South African Standard Time.

The 16 clubs will be divided into four groups of four teams, with the top two sides in each group progressing to the quarter-finals. The group-stage campaign is expected to begin in November.

The eventual champions will receive a record prize of $6 million, equivalent to approximately R100 million.

Meanwhile, the CAF Confederation Cup group-stage draw will also take place on Wednesday. Durban City will represent South Africa after Kaizer Chiefs were eliminated in the preliminary rounds by Zambia’s Red Arrows following a penalty shootout.