South African football giants Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates are pursuing places in the group stages of the 2026/27 CAF Champions League as the race for Africa’s biggest club football prize intensifies.
Defending champions Sundowns entered the competition in the second preliminary round after receiving a bye through the opening stage, while Pirates began their campaign against Mauritian champions La Cure Waves.
Pirates progressed after drawing 0-0 away from home before securing a 3-1 victory in the return leg in Soweto on 12 September, advancing 3-1 on aggregate.
The Buccaneers must now overcome Namibian champions African Stars in the second preliminary round to secure a place among the continent’s top 16 clubs.
Sundowns, meanwhile, began their title defence against Angola’s Wiliete Sport Clube de Benguela, who progressed from the first preliminary round after defeating Seychelles side Foresters FC 5-0 on aggregate.
The Brazilians will be determined to retain the continental crown after winning their second CAF Champions League title last season.
The second preliminary round features 32 clubs competing for 16 places in the group stages. The first-leg matches are scheduled for 16–18 October, with the return fixtures taking place from 23–25 October 2026.
Clubs that successfully navigate this stage will qualify for the group phase, which begins at the end of November.
The group-stage fixtures are scheduled across six matchdays, running from November 2026 to January 2027, before the competition moves into the knockout rounds.
The quarter-finals will take place in February and March 2027, followed by the semi-finals in April. The final is scheduled to be played between 9 and 31 May 2027.
There is also a significant financial incentive, with the eventual champions set to receive US$6 million in prize money.
For Sundowns, the mission is to defend their continental crown, while Pirates will be eager to return to the group stages and strengthen their bid for another major African honour.