Kaizer Chiefs discover CAF Confederation Cup first-round opponents

Kaizer Chiefs have discovered which opponents they will face in the first preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup, following the preliminary-stage draw held in Egypt on 6 August 2026.

The draw included Chiefs and Durban City, who qualified for the competition through different routes in South Africa. Chiefs enter as the third-placed team in the Betway Premiership, while Durban City secured their place as winners of the Nedbank Cup.

However, the available details of the draw do not specify the names of the clubs paired with either South African side.

For Chiefs, the continental campaign represents a return to the CAF Confederation Cup after their run to the group stage last season. The club narrowly missed out on a place in the knockout phase, and will now begin another attempt to progress further in the competition.

Durban City, meanwhile, will be making their debut in the tournament. Their Nedbank Cup triumph earned them their place in the draw and gives them an opportunity to compete in continental football for the first time.

The first preliminary-round ties are scheduled to be played over two legs in September. The opening matches will take place between 4 and 6 September, with the return fixtures set for the following week, from 11 to 13 September.

Clubs that advance will then move into the second preliminary round. Those first legs are due to be played between 16 and 18 October, followed by the decisive second legs from 23 to 25 October.

The group stage is scheduled to begin in late November, with the first round of group matches set to take place between 27 and 29 November.

Chiefs will be hoping to improve on last season’s campaign after falling just short of qualification for the knockout stages. Their place in the competition was secured by their Betway Premiership finish, while Durban City’s participation follows their success in the Nedbank Cup.

Both teams will therefore begin the preliminary stages with different levels of continental experience. Chiefs have already reached the group phase of the CAF Confederation Cup, whereas Durban City are entering the competition for the first time.

The September first-leg fixtures will provide the opening test of this year’s campaign. The return matches one week later will determine which clubs remain in contention for the second preliminary round, before the October ties decide the teams that reach the group-stage schedule beginning in November.