The CAF Champions League group-stage line-up has been confirmed following the conclusion of the second preliminary round on Sunday, with six additional teams securing qualification for the 2026/27 campaign.

Orlando Pirates will represent South Africa in the competition after producing an emphatic 5-0 aggregate victory over Namibia’s African Stars. The Buccaneers won the second leg 4-0 at home after taking a 1-0 advantage from the first encounter.

However, despite the headline suggesting that a South African trio has joined Pirates, the confirmed Champions League line-up lists Orlando Pirates as the country’s only representative. Defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns were eliminated by Angola’s Wiliete SC, who advanced after a 1-1 aggregate draw on the away-goals rule.

The 16 qualified clubs include several established names in African football. Egypt will be represented by Pyramids FC and Zamalek, while Tunisia has Espérance and Club Africain. Morocco’s representatives are RS Berkane and MAS de Fès, with Tanzania sending Simba SC and Young Africans.

Angola will also have two clubs in the group stage, Petro Atlético and Wiliete SC. The remaining qualifiers are MC Alger of Algeria, Al Hilal of Sudan, FC Nouadhibou of Mauritania, Colombe Sportive of Cameroon and Horoya AC of Guinea.

The group-stage draw is scheduled for Wednesday, October 28, in Cairo, Egypt. The 16 teams will be divided into four groups of four, with the top two sides in each group advancing to the quarter-finals.

For Pirates, qualification provides another opportunity to challenge Africa’s leading clubs. The Buccaneers will discover their group-stage opponents at the draw as they prepare to carry South Africa’s hopes in the continent’s premier club competition.

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