The CAF Champions League group-stage draw, held on Wednesday, October 28, at the Egyptian Football Association’s headquarters in Cairo, placed RS Berkane in a competitive group featuring South Africa’s Orlando Pirates and Tanzania’s Simba SC. MAS, meanwhile, will face a challenging lineup that includes 2025 African champions Pyramids FC.
RS Berkane, who reached the semifinals in their first-ever appearance in the competition last season, were drawn into Group C. They will meet Orlando Pirates, coached by Moroccan Abdeslam Ouaddou, as well as Simba SC, a familiar opponent they faced in the 2024-2025 CAF Confederation Cup final. Cameroon’s Colombe Sportive, who have limited experience at this level, complete the group.
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MAS, who were placed in Pot 4, could have faced an even tougher draw. The Fes side will take on Egypt’s Pyramids FC, African champions in 2025, Libya’s Al Hilal SC, a historic club that has gradually lost some of its former stature, and Guinea’s Horoya AC, an opponent considered within their reach.
The groups for the 2026-2027 CAF Champions League are as follows:
Group A: Espérance de Tunis, Petro Atlético, FC Nouadhibou, Wiliete SC
Group B: Zamalek, Young Africans, MC Alger, Club Africain
Group C: RS Berkane, Simba SC, Orlando Pirates, Colombe Sportive
Group D: Pyramids FC, Al Hilal SC, Horoya AC, MAS
The group stage will run from November 2026 to January 2027. The quarterfinal first legs are scheduled for February 26-28, with the return legs set for March 5-7.
The semifinal first legs will take place from April 9-11, followed by the return legs from April 16-18. The two legs of the final are scheduled for May 9-31, in line with the calendar previously announced by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
