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🛒 تسوق الآنCAF Champions League 2026: Sundowns Triumph, New Season Calendar Confirmed
CAF Champions League 2026: Sundowns Triumph, New Season Calendar Confirmed
Mamelodi Sundowns Claim Second Continental Title After Dramatic Final
The 2025–26 CAF Champions League season delivered high drama across Africa, culminating in Mamelodi Sundowns capturing their second continental crown with a 2–1 aggregate victory over Morocco's AS FAR in the two-legged final. The South African giants added to their 2016 title, cementing their status as one of Africa's elite clubs and earning a $4 million prize purse along with qualification for the FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2026 and the FIFA Club World Cup 2029.
The final, contested over two legs in June 2026, saw Sundowns demonstrate resilience and tactical discipline under head coach Rulani Mokwena. After a tightly contested first leg in Pretoria, Sundowns held their nerve in the return fixture in Rabat to see off a determined AS FAR side that had knocked out several favourites en route to the final. The victory sparked celebrations across South Africa and underscored the growing strength of Southern African football on the continental stage.
Record Prize Money and Growing Stature
CAF allocated a total of $17.6 million in prize money for the 2025/26 Champions League, reflecting the tournament's continued commercial growth. The champions received $4 million, while runners-up AS FAR earned $2 million. Semi-finalists collected $1.2 million each, and quarter-finalists took home $800,000. The increased financial rewards have intensified competition among African clubs, with investment in squads and infrastructure rising across the continent.
The 2025–26 season also saw strong attendances and improved broadcast production, with CAF's partnership with TotalEnergies continuing to drive visibility for African club football globally. Matches were broadcast in over 180 countries, bringing African football to a wider audience than ever before.
2026–27 Season Calendar Officially Released
CAF has officially released the competition calendar for the 2026/27 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League, providing clubs across the continent with a clear roadmap for the upcoming season. The preliminary rounds are set to begin in September 2026, with the first preliminary round scheduled between 4–13 September and the second preliminary round from 16–25 October.
The group stage will commence in November 2026, followed by the quarter-finals in March 2027. The semi-finals are scheduled for April 2027, with the two-legged final set to take place between 9 and 31 May 2027. The calendar allows participating clubs ample time to prepare their squads and navigate domestic league commitments alongside continental ambitions.
Libyan Clubs Eyeing Continental Return
For Libyan football fans, the CAF Champions League represents the pinnacle of club competition, and several Libyan sides are expected to seek qualification for the 2026/27 edition. Libyan clubs have a proud history in the competition, with Al Ahli Tripoli, Al Ittihad, and Al Nasr among those who have represented the nation on the continental stage in recent years. The Libyan Premier League season will determine which clubs earn the right to compete, with domestic performance in the coming months critical to securing a spot in CAF's flagship tournament.
Libyan football has shown signs of recovery in recent seasons, with improved organisation and investment in youth development. A strong showing in the CAF Champions League would not only raise the profile of Libyan football but also provide valuable experience for players and coaching staff competing against the continent's best.
African Club Football on the Rise
The 2025–26 season demonstrated the deepening competitiveness of African club football. Traditional powerhouses Al Ahly (Egypt), Wydad Casablanca (Morocco), Espérance de Tunis (Tunisia), and TP Mazembe (DR Congo) all faced stiffer challenges from emerging forces like Sundowns, AS FAR, and others. The growing parity reflects improved scouting, coaching standards, and financial investment across the continent's domestic leagues.
CAF's reforms to the club competition format, including expanded prize money and improved scheduling, have contributed to raising the overall quality of play. The introduction of stricter club licensing requirements has also pushed clubs toward better governance and infrastructure, benefiting the sport long-term.
As the 2026/27 season approaches, the question on every fan's mind is whether Sundowns can defend their title, or whether one of Africa's traditional giants will reclaim continental supremacy. With the preliminary rounds just months away, the race for African club football's biggest prize is already underway.
— Libya Press / Sports Desk
