The CAF Champions League 2026/27 campaign begins in September, with defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates representing South Africa in the race for a place in the group stage.
The two South African clubs have different qualification routes. Sundowns received a bye into the Second Preliminary Round and need to win one two-legged tie to reach the group stage. Pirates start in the First Preliminary Round against La Cure Waves of Mauritius and must progress through two rounds.
Sundowns already know they will face either Wiliete of Angola or Foresters FC of Seychelles. If Pirates overcome La Cure Waves, their next opponents will be AS Mangasport of Gabon or Namibia’s African Stars.
For fixtures, live scores, results, and match information as the qualifying rounds begin, supporters can follow the competition through SP Score.
READ ALSO: Mamelodi Sundowns vs AmaZulu
CAF Champions League 2026/27: Sundowns and Pirates at a glance
| Club | Entry round | Opponent | What is needed |
| Mamelodi Sundowns | Second Preliminary Round | Wiliete or Foresters FC | Win one two-legged tie |
| Orlando Pirates | First Preliminary Round | La Cure Waves | Win two qualifying ties |
| Pirates’ possible next opponent | Second Preliminary Round | AS Mangasport or African Stars | Winner advances to group stage |
When does the CAF Champions League 2026/27 start?
The CAF Champions League begins with the First Preliminary Round in September.
| Stage | First legs | Second legs |
| First Preliminary Round | 4–6 September 2026 | 11–13 September 2026 |
| Second Preliminary Round | 16–18 October 2026 | 23–25 October 2026 |
| Group Stage Matchday 1 | 27–29 November 2026 | — |
The preliminary rounds are played over two legs, with the aggregate winner progressing.
That is important because Sundowns and Pirates are not yet playing group-stage football. Their first objective is qualification.
Mamelodi Sundowns begin their CAF Champions League title defence in October
Mamelodi Sundowns enter the CAF Champions League 2026/27 as defending champions after winning their second African title in 2026.
The Brazilians defeated AS FAR 2-1 on aggregate in the 2025/26 final, adding a second CAF Champions League crown to the title they won in 2016.
Their continental record has helped earn them a bye through the First Preliminary Round.
Sundowns therefore do not begin their title defence in September. Their first matches come in the Second Preliminary Round in October.
That allows Sundowns to spend the opening weeks of the season balancing domestic competitions before continental football is added to the schedule. For the wider domestic picture involving Sundowns, Pirates and the rest of the leading South African clubs, see SportPesa South Africa’s PSL 2026/27 season preview.
Who will Mamelodi Sundowns face in the CAF Champions League?
Sundowns will face the winner of:
Wiliete vs Foresters FC
Wiliete represent Angola, while Foresters FC are from Seychelles.
The two clubs meet in the First Preliminary Round, with the winner advancing to face Sundowns in October.
That gives the defending champions a straightforward qualification equation:
Wiliete or Foresters FC → Mamelodi Sundowns → winner reaches the CAF Champions League group stage
The identity of Sundowns’ opponent will become clear once the September tie is complete.
When will Mamelodi Sundowns play?
Sundowns enter during the Second Preliminary Round.
The first legs are scheduled for 16–18 October 2026, followed by the return legs from 23–25 October.
Sundowns are scheduled to host the return leg.
That means their group-stage place could ultimately be decided in South Africa during the second meeting.
What does Mamelodi Sundowns need to reach the group stage
Sundowns need to win one two-legged qualifying tie.
They do not have to negotiate the First Preliminary Round, so either Wiliete or Foresters will be their only opponent before the group stage.
The aggregate winner of the Second Preliminary Round tie advances.
There is therefore no automatic group-stage place for Sundowns despite entering as defending champions.
Orlando Pirates start against La Cure Waves
The Orlando Pirates CAF Champions League campaign begins earlier.
Pirates face Mauritian champions La Cure Waves in the First Preliminary Round.
The opening match will be played away from South Africa before Pirates host the return leg.
First legs are scheduled from 4–6 September, with the second legs following from 11–13 September.
Pirates must win the tie on aggregate before they can turn their attention to the Second Preliminary Round.
Who are La Cure Waves?
La Cure Waves enter the CAF Champions League from Mauritius and face one of South Africa’s biggest clubs in their opening continental assignment.
For Orlando Pirates, the difference in profile between the two teams cannot change the basic requirement of a two-legged knockout tie.
Pirates need to manage the away match before completing the tie at home.
Only then would they advance to the next stage.
Who could Orlando Pirates face next?
If Pirates eliminate La Cure Waves, they will face the winner of:
AS Mangasport vs African Stars
AS Mangasport represent Gabon, while African Stars come from Namibia.
Pirates’ complete route to the group stage is therefore already mapped:
La Cure Waves → AS Mangasport or African Stars → CAF Champions League group stage
Unlike Sundowns, Pirates have to win two separate ties.
Orlando Pirates must balance Africa with their domestic title defence
Pirates enter the CAF Champions League while also carrying major domestic expectations.
Their early continental fixtures arrive during an already busy period of the South African season, making squad depth and rotation important as the qualifying rounds progress.
Supporters following Pirates beyond their African campaign can also read SportPesa South Africa’s Kaizer Chiefs vs Orlando Pirates Soweto Derby coverage for more coverage of the Buccaneers’ domestic season.
Pirates’ immediate CAF priority, however, remains La Cure Waves.
Looking ahead to AS Mangasport or African Stars only becomes relevant once the First Preliminary Round has been won.
READ ALSO: CAF Champions League 2026/27: Sundowns and Pirates
Sundowns and Pirates have different roads to the group stage
The difference between the two qualification routes is significant.
| Mamelodi Sundowns | Orlando Pirates |
| Defending African champions | South Africa’s second representative |
| First Preliminary Round bye | Enter First Preliminary Round |
| Start in October | Start in September |
| Face Wiliete or Foresters | Face La Cure Waves first |
| Need one qualifying win | Need two qualifying wins |
| Second Preliminary Round return leg at home | Must first progress from September tie |
Both teams ultimately need to reach the same point: the final 16.
Why squad depth will matter for Sundowns and Pirates
The CAF Champions League does not operate separately from domestic football.
Pirates start their continental campaign during the opening phase of their domestic season, while Sundowns add CAF matches to their programme in October.
That creates periods when league, cup and continental matches can sit close together.
Both clubs therefore need squads capable of handling travel, recovery and rotation without losing momentum domestically.
Squad construction has already been an important issue during the opening weeks of the season. SportPesa South Africa’s South Africa Transfer Deadline Day 2026 coverage tracks the wider transfer picture affecting Pirates, Sundowns and their PSL rivals.
How many teams are in the CAF Champions League 2026/27?
CAF confirmed 61 clubs for the competition.
Three teams received byes into the Second Preliminary Round:
- Mamelodi Sundowns
- Espérance de Tunis
- RS Berkane
The remaining clubs begin in the First Preliminary Round.
After that opening stage, 32 clubs contest the Second Preliminary Round.
Those teams play 16 two-legged ties.
The 16 winners qualify for the group stage.
The qualification pathway therefore becomes:
First Preliminary Round → 32-team Second Preliminary Round → 16 group-stage teams
How many teams reach the CAF Champions League group stage?
Sixteen clubs compete in the CAF Champions League group stage.
All 16 places are decided through the Second Preliminary Round.
The group stage is then divided into four groups of four teams.
Each club plays six group matches, facing the other three teams in its group home and away.
The leading teams then advance to the knockout rounds.
When does the CAF Champions League group stage begin?
The group stage starts at the end of November.
| Matchday | Dates |
| Matchday 1 | 27–29 November 2026 |
| Matchday 2 | 4–6 December 2026 |
| Matchday 3 | 18–20 December 2026 |
| Matchday 4 | 8–10 January 2027 |
| Matchday 5 | 15–17 January 2027 |
| Matchday 6 | 22–24 January 2027 |
Neither Sundowns nor Pirates currently has a confirmed Matchday 1 opponent.
Those fixtures can only be determined after the preliminary rounds are complete and the final 16 clubs are known.
Can Mamelodi Sundowns defend the CAF Champions League?
Sundowns begin the season trying to become back-to-back African champions.
Their 2025/26 victory established them as the team every challenger will want to beat, but the title defence starts with qualification rather than the group stage.
The first challenge will be either Wiliete or Foresters.
Sundowns must overcome that tie before discussions about group-stage opponents or another run towards the final become relevant.
Can Orlando Pirates reach the CAF Champions League group stage?
Yes, but Pirates have a longer qualification route than Sundowns.
Their first task is beating La Cure Waves.
If they do that, either AS Mangasport or African Stars will stand between Pirates and the group stage.
Their route can therefore be reduced to two steps:
- Beat La Cure Waves.
- Win the Second Preliminary Round against AS Mangasport or African Stars.
Complete both and Pirates join the final 16.
What happens if Sundowns and Pirates both qualify?
If both South African clubs win their respective qualifying routes, Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates will represent the country in the CAF Champions League group stage.
Having both clubs in the final 16 would also extend South Africa’s involvement across the full continental calendar from November into January.
Their group opponents would then be determined after qualification is complete.
CAF Champions League 2026/27 key dates
| Stage | Dates |
| First Preliminary Round first legs | 4–6 September 2026 |
| First Preliminary Round second legs | 11–13 September 2026 |
| Second Preliminary Round first legs | 16–18 October 2026 |
| Second Preliminary Round second legs | 23–25 October 2026 |
| Group Stage Matchday 1 | 27–29 November 2026 |
| Group Stage Matchday 2 | 4–6 December 2026 |
| Group Stage Matchday 3 | 18–20 December 2026 |
| Group Stage Matchday 4 | 8–10 January 2027 |
| Group Stage Matchday 5 | 15–17 January 2027 |
| Group Stage Matchday 6 | 22–24 January 2027 |
| Quarter-finals | February–March 2027 |
| Semi-finals | April 2027 |
| Final | May 2027 |
CAF Champions League 2026/27 FAQs
Which South African teams are in the CAF Champions League 2026/27?
Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates represent South Africa in the CAF Champions League 2026/27.
Are Mamelodi Sundowns the defending CAF Champions League champions?
Yes. Sundowns defeated AS FAR 2-1 on aggregate in the 2025/26 final to win their second CAF Champions League title.
Why did Mamelodi Sundowns receive a bye?
Sundowns are among the highest-ranked clubs in the competition and enter directly in the Second Preliminary Round alongside Espérance and RS Berkane.
Who will Mamelodi Sundowns play?
Sundowns will face either Wiliete of Angola or Foresters FC of Seychelles.
When do Mamelodi Sundowns start their CAF Champions League campaign?
Sundowns enter the Second Preliminary Round in October. The first legs take place from 16–18 October, with the return legs from 23–25 October.
Who will Orlando Pirates play?
Orlando Pirates face La Cure Waves of Mauritius in the First Preliminary Round.
When do Orlando Pirates start their CAF Champions League campaign?
The First Preliminary Round first legs take place from 4–6 September, with return matches from 11–13 September.
Who could Orlando Pirates play in the Second Preliminary Round?
If Pirates beat La Cure Waves, they will face either AS Mangasport of Gabon or African Stars of Namibia.
How many teams qualify for the CAF Champions League group stage?
Sixteen clubs qualify by winning their Second Preliminary Round ties.
When does the CAF Champions League group stage begin?
Matchday 1 is scheduled for 27–29 November 2026.
When is CAF Champions League Matchday 2?
Matchday 2 takes place from 4–6 December 2026.
Where can South African fans follow CAF Champions League scores?
Fans can follow fixtures, live scores, results and match information through SP Score.
Conclusion
The CAF Champions League 2026/27 starts with different challenges for South Africa’s two representatives.
Orlando Pirates begin in September against La Cure Waves and must win two qualifying ties to reach the group stage. Victory in the opening round would set up a Second Preliminary Round meeting with either AS Mangasport or African Stars.
Mamelodi Sundowns enter later after receiving a First Preliminary Round bye. The defending champions will face Wiliete or Foresters FC in October, with the winner taking one of the 16 group-stage places.
For Pirates, the first target is La Cure Waves. For Sundowns, attention is on discovering which opponent advances to meet them. If both clubs negotiate those routes successfully, South Africa will have two teams in the CAF Champions League group stage when the main phase begins at the end of November.
READ ALSO: CAF Champions League 2026/27: Sundowns & Orlando
