Category: Sport News

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

Star Sport Academy’s Hopes Dashed in Berkane as They Bow Out

Star Sport Academy’s hopes of progressing in the 2026/2027 CAF Champions League group stage, in their debut appearance, came to an unfortunate end with a 1-0 defeat at the Municipal Stadium to RS Berkane.

After losing the first leg in Liberia, the competition debutants were determined to overturn a 2-0 deficit against a tough opponent. However, Youssef Mehri’s goal in the 53rd minute of the second half dashed those hopes.

Coach Amidu Karim’s side put up a strong fight in Morocco, matching Berkane’s intensity and pushing hard to turn the tide, but we couldn’t make the most of our limited chances, resulting in no further goals.

Consequently, the Freetown-based outfit bowed out with a 3-0 aggregate loss. This experience serves as a valuable lesson, and now they’ll regroup and shift their focus to the Sierra Leone Premier League.

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone’s Star Sport Academy set for RS Berkane cracker

Sierra Leone’s Star Sport Academy will lock horns with Morocco’s RS Berkane in their CAF Champions League match on October 24, 2026, at the Stade Municipal de Berkane as both teams vie for a spot in the group stage.

Berkane heads into this match after a series of three draws and a recent 2-0 victory over their opponents in Liberia last Saturday at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium.

Coach Amidu Karim’s side will be hoping to overturn that deficit this evening in Morocco. Meanwhile, Star Sport Academy has demonstrated their capabilities by eliminating a Gambian team away at the Independence Stadium in prior rounds. They are eager to replicate that success against the Moroccan side.

The head coach of Star Sport Academy remains optimistic, noting that his team has trained well and acclimated effectively to the conditions in Morocco, preparing for what promises to be a challenging match.

Coach Amidu remained optimistic about securing a victory and called on Sierra Leoneans to rally behind the team as they prepare for this crucial encounter.

Star Sport Academy in the CAF Champions League
Star Sport Academy in the CAF Champions League
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.