Pirates handed tricky Champions League group stage draw

Orlando Pirates received a tricky Caf Champions League group stages draw on Wednesday against RS Berkane of Morocco, Tanzania’s Simba SC and Colombe Sportive DL of Cameroon.

The Buccaneers, who reached the semifinals in 2024-25, where they lost against eventual champions Pyramids FC of Egypt, make a return to the group stage after going out in the second preliminary round last season.

Of interest in Group C would be the match against Simba, who are coached by South African Steve Barker and will also have some players in familiar surroundings when they visit Orlando Stadium.

Barker has a South African flavour in defender Rushine De Reuck, midfielder Neo Maema and attacker Keletso Makgalwa.

Buccaneers coach Abdeslam Ouaddou’s largely inexperienced squad will also have to be at their best against three-time Confederation Cup champions Berkane and unheralded Colombe.

Pirates are South Africa’s only representatives remaining in the Champions League after Mamelodi Sundowns were eliminated by Angolan side Wiliete SC in Pretoria on Friday.

Bucs progressed past Namibia’s African Stars in the last round by a 5-0 aggregate scoreline.

In the Confederation Cup, Durban City were included in a tough Group with AS FAR of Morocco, Azam FC from Tanzania and Al Ahly Tripoli of Libya.

City are the country’s only representatives after Kaizer Chiefs were eliminated by Red Arrows of Zambia on penalties at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban last weekend.

The group stages of both tournaments start on the weekend of November 27 to 29, the knockout stages take place from February 26 and the final is scheduled for the end of May.

2026-27 Caf Champions League group stage draw

• Group A: Esperance (Tunisia), Petro Atletico (Angola), FC Nouadhibou (Mauritania), Wiliete (Angola)
• Group B: Zamalek (Egypt), Young Africans (Tanzania), Mouloudia Alger (Algeria), Club Africain (Tunisia)
• Group C: Renaissance Berkane (Morocco), Simba (Tanzania), Orlando Pirates (South Africa), Colombe Sportive (Cameroon)
• Group D: Pyramids (Egypt), Al Hilal (Sudan), Horoya (Guinea), Maghreb Fes (Morocco)

2026-27 Caf Confederation Cup group stage draw

• Group A: Al Ahly (Egypt), Raja Casablanca (Morocco), ASKO Kara (Togo), Primeiro Agosto (Angola)
• Group B: Royal Armed Forces (Morocco), Azam (Tanzania), Al Ahly Tripoli (Libya), Durban City (South Africa)
• Group C: CR Belouizdad (Algeria) or AS Douanes (Mauritania) or Hafia (Guinea), Maniema Union (DR Congo), Singida Black Stars (Tanzania), Red Arrows (Zambia)
• Group D: USM Alger (Algeria), CS Sfaxien (Tunisia), Black Bulls (Mozambique), Real Bamako (Mali)

TimesLIVE