CAF Champions League: major absentees in 2026-27 reignite debate

Al Ahly, Wydad, Raja, Sundowns… Several giants’ absence reignites debate over the format of the African Champions League

Africa Today at 06:56

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CAF Champions League: major absentees in 2026-27 reignite debate

The 2026-2027 CAF Champions League is set for an edition without several monuments of African football. A situation that raises questions.

With the start of the group stage just weeks away, the lineup for the CAF Champions League has lost some of its most popular fixtures. Some historic clubs failed to secure their tickets at the end of their domestic competitions, while others fell in the qualifying rounds. This accumulation of absences could weigh on the tournament's media and popular appeal.

Al Ahly, Wydad, Raja and Sundowns: an edition without several giants

The strongest symbol remains Al Ahly, the competition's record holder with twelve titles, which will not take part in the African Champions League for the first time since 2003. The Egyptian club, third in its league, will compete in the Confederation Cup this season.

Moroccan football will also be without several prestigious representatives: Wydad Casablanca, Raja Casablanca and AS FAR, despite being finalists in the previous edition, failed to qualify for this Champions League. In Nigeria, Enyimba, a two-time African champion, is also missing, with the domestic berths going to Enugu Rangers and Rivers United.

These absences are compounded by a genuine sporting earthquake: Mamelodi Sundowns, the defending champions, were eliminated on Friday, October 23, by Angolan club Wiliete. After a 0-0 draw in the first leg and a 1-1 draw in the return leg in South Africa, the South Africans exited the competition on the away-goals rule. The departure was all the more striking given that Sundowns had featured in the previous eleven group stages.

This year's #TotalEnergiesCAFCL is missing several giant clubs with big history in the competition 😶❌ https://t.co/JpTkDu9ozH
— Vuvuzela.foot (@vvzfoot) October 23, 2026

Should CAF rethink its qualification system?

The current regulations prioritize the results of domestic leagues, then require preliminary rounds to reach a group stage limited to sixteen teams. This principle rewards sporting merit: a big name cannot claim a place simply because of its history. Wiliete's feat also proves that this system allows new clubs to challenge the established hierarchy.

But the simultaneous absence of so many heavyweight clubs raises a legitimate question for the continental competition: how can it preserve its appeal without sacrificing fairness? Expanding the group stage, rethinking the qualification process or better rewarding continental performances over several seasons could fuel the debate. These options would nevertheless require a serious study of schedules, travel and clubs' resources.

Despite these absences, the competition still boasts strong contenders, and the renewed lineup could also reveal new powers. For CAF, the challenge is therefore less about protecting institutions than about building a Champions League that is open, competitive and attractive.

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