CAF Champions League: 16 Clubs Confirmed for Group Stage - Voice of Nigeria

The 16 clubs that will compete in the CAF Champions League 2026/27 Group Stage have been confirmed following the conclusion of the Second Preliminary Round, setting the stage for Wednesday's much-anticipated draw in Cairo, Egypt. The final qualification matches delivered major surprises, with defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns suffering a shock elimination while former continental champions Espérance, Zamalek and MC Alger survived difficult encounters to keep their title ambitions alive.

The group stage draw will take place at the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) Headquarters in Cairo on Wednesday, 28 October 2026. The draw will divide the 16 qualified clubs into four groups of four, with the group stage scheduled to begin in November.

One of the biggest stories of the preliminary rounds was the elimination of South African holders Mamelodi Sundowns by Angola's Wiliete SC. Founded in 2018, Wiliete SC secured a historic qualification after holding Sundowns to a 1-1 draw in Pretoria, progressing on away goals following a goalless first leg in Lubango.

South Africa will nevertheless be represented by Orlando Pirates, who completed a commanding 5-0 aggregate victory over Namibia's African Stars, winning the return leg 4-0.