Source: @Mamelodi Sundowns
The road back to continental glory has become slightly less demanding for Mamelodi Sundowns after the reigning African champions were exempted from the opening preliminary round of the CAF Champions League.
CAF’s decision means Sundowns will enter the competition at the second preliminary round, rewarding the club’s outstanding performances in African football over the past five seasons. It also gives Miguel Cardoso’s side valuable preparation time before beginning their defence of the trophy they reclaimed last season.
The preliminary round draw will take place at CAF headquarters in Cairo on 6 August, with clubs across the continent discovering their routes to the group stage. While many teams will begin their campaigns in September, Sundowns can afford to watch the opening ties before learning the identity of their first opponents.
The exemption is based on CAF’s five-year club ranking system, which rewards sustained excellence in continental competition. Reports indicate that only three clubs have received this privilege for the 2026/27 edition, with Tunisia’s Espérance Sportive de Tunis and Morocco’s RS Berkane joining Sundowns on the list.
For the Brazilians, the timing could prove significant.
The Pretoria side face another demanding season that includes domestic commitments alongside their pursuit of back-to-back African crowns. Avoiding an additional qualifying round reduces fixture congestion during the early months of the campaign and allows the technical team more time to manage player workloads before the intensity of continental football increases.
History has shown that the early qualifying rounds can be unpredictable, particularly when clubs travel across Africa under challenging conditions. By entering later, Sundowns eliminate one potential obstacle and begin their campaign closer to the group stage.
The CAF Champions League will once again feature a highly competitive field, with 61 clubs contesting this season’s title. The group phase is scheduled to run between November 2026 and January 2027 before the knockout rounds determine Africa’s next champion. The final is expected to take place in May 2027.
While Sundowns enjoy a favourable start, Kaizer Chiefs face a different challenge in the CAF Confederation Cup.
Amakhosi were not granted a first-round exemption and will begin their continental journey from the opening preliminary round. Their route to the group stage therefore becomes considerably longer, with multiple qualifying ties standing between them and the latter stages of the competition.
For Chiefs, those early fixtures present both opportunity and pressure. A strong start could build momentum and valuable experience, but there is little room for error in two-legged knockout football, where a single disappointing performance can end a campaign before it truly begins.
Elsewhere, CAF has maintained its current qualification structure after rejecting a proposal from the Egyptian Football Association to expand the number of participating clubs. As a result, the format for the 2026/27 competitions remains unchanged.
For match previews, post-match analysis, breaking news and tournament updates throughout the continental season can follow Fut Afrique’s channels for extensive coverage of the Confederation Cup.
