Orlando Pirates face Renaissance Berkane and Simba in Champions League group stage

Orlando Pirates have been drawn against Renaissance Berkane, Simba SC and Colombe Sportive in Group C of the 2026-27 Caf Champions League.

The South African side reached the semi-finals in 2024-25, losing to eventual winners Pyramids FC of Egypt, and return to the group stage after being eliminated in the second preliminary round last season.

Their meeting with Simba will have added interest, with the Tanzanian club coached by South African Steve Barker. Simba also have several South African players who will be returning to familiar surroundings when they visit Orlando Stadium.

Defender Rushine De Reuck, midfielder Neo Maema and attacker Keletso Makgalwa all give Barker’s squad a South African presence.

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou will take a largely inexperienced team into a group that also includes Renaissance Berkane, three-time Confederation Cup winners, and Cameroon’s Colombe Sportive.

Pirates are the only South African club left in the Champions League after Mamelodi Sundowns were knocked out by Angolan side Wiliete SC in Pretoria on Friday.

The Buccaneers reached the group stage by beating Namibia’s African Stars 5-0 on aggregate in the previous round.

Durban City drawn against AS FAR

Durban City will represent South Africa in the Caf Confederation Cup after being placed in a demanding Group B alongside AS FAR of Morocco, Azam FC of Tanzania and Al Ahly Tripoli of Libya.

City are the country’s only remaining representatives in the competition 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 competitions will begin on the weekend of November 27 to 29. The knockout stages are scheduled to start from February 26, with the final due to be played at 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)