Africa’s leading football clubs have discovered their paths towards continental success after the draw for the 2026-27 CAF Champions League preliminary rounds was conducted in Cairo on Thursday.
The draw has set up a series of early encounters involving champions from across the continent as clubs begin their quest for a place in the group stage of Africa’s premier interclub competition.
Defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa will return to the competition looking to retain their title after beating Morocco’s AS FAR in last season’s final.
The South African giants are among the favourites for another strong campaign, but they will be joined by several ambitious teams hoping to challenge the continent’s established powers.
Ghana Premier League champions Medeama SC face one of the biggest tests of the opening round after being paired with five-time African champions TP Mazembe.
The Ghanaian side will host the first leg at TNA Park before travelling to Lubumbashi for the return fixture at Stade TP Mazembe. The winner of that tie will face either Tunisia’s Club Africain or Mali’s Djoliba AC in the second preliminary round.
Across East Africa, Kenyan champions Gor Mahia were drawn against Egyptian side Pyramids FC in another challenging first-round fixture.
The winner of that encounter will progress to face either South Sudan’s El Merreikh Bentiu or Somalia’s Heegan SC in the next stage.
Nigeria’s representatives also learned their opponents, with Enugu Rangers set to face Benin Republic club Sobemap FC. A victory would earn them a second-round meeting against either Niger’s ASN Nigelec or Algerian champions MC Alger.
Rivers United, Nigeria’s other representatives, will begin their campaign against Ivory Coast’s FC San Pedro. The winner will then meet either Uganda’s Vipers SC or Mauritania’s FC Nouadhibou for a place in the group stage.
The preliminary rounds will begin in September, with first-leg matches scheduled between 4 and 6 September 2026. The return fixtures will take place from 11 to 13 September.
The second preliminary round will follow in October, with first legs scheduled for 16-18 October and second legs from 23-25 October.
The clubs that survive those rounds will secure qualification for the group stage, moving one step closer to lifting the continent’s most prestigious club trophy.
With champions from different leagues, historic African giants and emerging contenders all involved, the 2026-27 CAF Champions League promises another competitive battle for continental supremacy.
