Category: African News

Our African football page passionately on all continental topics of all National and International football news, Identifying football heroes on our continent.

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

CAF Champions League: 16 Clubs Confirmed for 2026/27 Group Stage

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).

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Orlando Cruise Into CAF Champions League Group Stage

Orlando Pirates of South Africa won decisively against Namibia’s African Stars FC, scoring four goals for a 5-0 aggregate victory after a 1-0 win in the first leg.

Thapelo Mokobodi got “The Buccaneers” off to a flying start with a goal just 11 minutes into the match at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg.

Evidence Makgopa then doubled their lead just before halftime, easing the nerves of their fans with a comfortable advantage.

Just after the break, Mpho Padime extended the lead to 3-0 for the Pirates, effectively making the outcome a formality.

Makgopa added to his tally with a second goal in the 77th minute, sealing a dominant performance and confirming Orlando Pirates’ place in the group stage.

Having lifted the trophy back in 1995, Orlando Pirates will now await their group stage opponents, proudly flying the South African flag, especially after their compatriots and reigning champions, Mamelodi Sundowns, were unexpectedly eliminated in one of the biggest upsets of the season.

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Wiliete Stun Sundowns in CAF Champions League Shock

In a stunning turn of events, Angola’s Wiliete SC pulled off one of the greatest upsets in CAF Champions League history by knocking out the defending champions, Mamelodi Sundowns, after a gripping 1-1 draw in Pretoria.

This result allowed Wiliete to advance to the group stage on the away goals rule. Last weekend, the two teams played to a goalless draw in Benguela, setting the stage for Sundowns to be the favourites at home as they aimed to continue their title defence.

The match at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria began on a high note for “The Brazilians,” who took an early lead when Tashreeq Williams scored just 11 minutes into the game, seemingly paving the way for the two-time champions to progress.

As the teams headed into halftime, Sundowns held a 1-0 lead, both for the night and on aggregate. Determined to secure their spot in the next round, Sundowns came out strong after the break, pushing hard for a second goal.

However, disaster struck when Cristovao Paciencia “Mabululu” equalised for Wiliete just four minutes into the second half, levelling the score at 1-1 on aggregate.

With the away goal advantage tipping in Wiliete’s favour, Sundowns ramped up their offensive efforts, but Wiliete remained resolute, defending diligently against the relentless assault. As time ticked away, Wiliete managed to hold on to the crucial draw, completing a remarkable upset.

Founded only in 2018, Wiliete SC has now earned a spot in the prestigious group stage of the CAF Champions League, leaving Mamelodi Sundowns to ponder their missed opportunities.

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Al Hilal Pick Up Crucial Away Victory Over Sidama Bunna

Al Hilal Omdurman of Sudan boosted their chances of advancing to the group stage of the CAF Champions League with a solid 2-0 away victory over Ethiopia’s Sidama Bunna in the first leg of their Second Preliminary Round match on Sunday.

The visitors got off to a great start thanks to an early own goal by Sidama Bunna in the 11th minute, putting Al Hilal ahead right from the outset. The Ethiopian team struggled to find an equalizer before the break, which allowed Al Hilal to maintain control of the game.

Throughout the second half, the Sudanese club held onto their slim lead as Sidama Bunna pressed for a way back into the match. Just as the game was nearing its end, Mohamed Abdelrahman found the net in the 90th minute, doubling Al Hilal’s advantage and sealing the victory.

As a result, Sidama Bunna now faces the daunting task of overcoming a two-goal deficit in the return leg if they hope to stay in the competition. On the other hand, Al Hilal will enter the next match feeling confident about securing their spot in the group stage as they chase their continental ambitions.

by Football Sierra Leone

Billiat, Musona Fire Scottland to 2-0 Win Over Petro Atlético

Zimbabwe’s Scottland FC edged closer to the group stage of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League with a 2-0 victory over Angola’s Petro Atlético in the first leg of the Second Preliminary Round on Sunday.

Second-half goals from former Zimbabwe internationals Khama Billiat and Knowledge Musona secured the win. Billiat opened the scoring in the 67th minute, followed by Musona ten minutes later, giving Scottland a solid advantage for the return leg.

Petro Atlético struggled after losing a player just two minutes into the match, forcing them to play with ten men. Despite their numerical superiority, Scottland couldn’t score in the first half, but Billiat eventually broke the deadlock, and Musona sealed the win.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Rangers International also triumphed, defeating Algeria’s MC Alger 2-0, even after a red card in the 13th minute. James Emo starred for Rangers, scoring both goals in the final minutes—including a penalty in the 83rd minute.

Despite being down a player, Rangers adapted quickly and held off MC Alger, who also faced a red card in the 52nd minute. Emo’s goals give Rangers a two-goal lead heading into the second leg in Algeria as they aim for the group stage.