Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns will have more than continental glory on their minds when the 2026/27 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League gets underway in September, with the winners set to pocket USD 6 million—approximately R78 million. CAF has confirmed the full calendar for the new season, and South Africa’s two giants are already locked in. Pirates booked their place by winning the 2025/26 Betway Premiership title, while Sundowns return as the defending champions, aiming to retain the crown they lifted last season. The financial prize alone could transform a club’s transfer plans, adding immense weight to every knockout stage.
Both sides will begin their continental campaigns in the preliminary rounds during September and October. The first preliminary round runs from 4 to 13 September, followed by the second from 16 to 25 October. Should both progress, the group stage starts at the end of November and runs through January 2027, with six matches determining who advances to the quarter-finals in February and March. The semi-finals follow in April, and the final is scheduled between 9 and 31 May 2027. Notably, Sundowns will skip the first preliminary round due to their high ranking and status as defending champions, giving them a slight head start.
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