Pirates Await CAF Champions League Group Stage Fate

Orlando Pirates will discover their opponents in the Group Stage of the 2026/27 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League when the draw takes place in Cairo, Egypt, this afternoon. The draw, scheduled for 14h00 South African time at the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) Headquarters, will see the Buccaneers enter the hat alongside 15 other clubs, all vying for a place among Africa's continental elite.

For Pirates, the occasion marks another significant step in their return to continental football following a successful qualifying campaign that saw them overcome Le Cure Sylvester of Mauritius and African Stars of Namibia. The reigning South African champions booked their place in the Group Stage with an emphatic 5-0 aggregate victory over African Stars, including a commanding 4-0 triumph in the return leg.

Familiar Faces and New Challengers The 16-team line-up brings together some of Africa's most decorated clubs, alongside a handful of ambitious newcomers who have already demonstrated their credentials in the preliminary rounds. Among the familiar continental heavyweights are Egyptian giants Zamalek and Pyramids FC, Tunisia's Espérance and Club Africain, as well as Moroccan representatives RS Berkane and MAS de Fès.

How the Draw Works The 16 qualified teams will be divided into four groups of four, with each club facing its three group opponents both home and away. The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarterfinals, where the competition enters its knockout phase.

The Group Stage is scheduled to kick off in November, with today's draw providing the first indication of the challenges awaiting the Buccaneers in their pursuit of continental honours. Where to Watch Supporters can follow the CAF Champions League Group Stage Draw live from 14h00 on YouTube, on CAF TV