The 16 clubs competing in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League 2026/27 Group Stage have been announced after the Second Preliminary Round ended Sunday. The draw will take place in Cairo, Egypt, on Wednesday, October 28.
One surprising outcome was the elimination of the defending champions, Mamelodi Sundowns. In contrast, former champions Espérance, Zamalek, and MC Alger advanced after tough matches.
The Group Stage Draw will be held at the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) Headquarters in Cairo at 15:00 local time (12:00 GMT). The draw will organize the 16 teams into four groups of four. Matches will start in November.
Angola’s Wiliete SC eliminated Sundowns by drawing 1-1 in Pretoria, advancing on away goals after the first leg ended 0-0. This result brings new competition into the Group Stage. South Africa’s Orlando Pirates also moved forward, winning 5-0 on aggregate against Namibia’s African Stars.
Egypt’s Zamalek and Pyramids qualified successfully. Espérance advanced after overcoming a 1-0 first-leg loss to Libya’s Swehly SC in penalties. Algeria’s MC Alger scored three second-half goals to defeat Nigeria’s Rangers International.
Morocco’s RS Berkane and MAS de Fès both progressed, with Berkane winning comfortably while MAS de Fès secured a late victory. Tunisia’s Club Africain eliminated five-time champions TP Mazembe. Tanzania will again be represented by Simba SC and Young Africans.
Sudan’s Al Hilal Omdurman won 4-0 against Ethiopia’s Sidama Bunna, and Cameroon’s Colombe Sportive defeated Senegal’s Teungueth FC 3-0 overall. Mauritania’s FC Nouadhibou reversed a first-leg loss to reach the Group Stage, and Guinea’s Horoya AC eliminated Al Merriekh on penalties.
As the draw nears, clubs are eager to find out their opponents. The 2026/27 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League winner will receive USD 6 million, with the Group Stage featuring four groups of four teams, where the top two from each group will advance to the quarter-finals.
Qualified Clubs – TotalEnergies CAF Champions League 2026/27 Group Stage
Al Hilal Omdurman (Sudan), Club Africain (Tunisia), Colombe Sportive (Cameroon), Espérance (Tunisia), FC Nouadhibou (Mauritania), Horoya AC (Guinea), MAS de Fès (Morocco), MC Alger (Algeria), Orlando Pirates (South Africa), Petro Atlético (Angola), Pyramids FC (Egypt), RS Berkane (Morocco), Simba SC (Tanzania), Wiliete SC (Angola), Young Africans (Tanzania), Zamalek SC (Egypt).
