Who benefited from Sundowns' fall? 5 clubs face a golden opportunity to compete for the CAF Champions League title
Mamelodi Sundowns' shock elimination from the 2026 /27 CAF Champions League has reshaped the race for Africa's biggest club trophy, giving five ambitious contenders an opportunity to challenge for the title.
The South African giants, who entered the competition as defending champions, were eliminated by Angola's Wiliete SC in the second preliminary round on 23 October.
After a goalless first leg in Angola, Sundowns were held to a 1-1 draw in Pretoria, allowing Wiliete to progress on the away goals rule.
As reported by Foot Africa following Sundowns' unexpected exit, the result ended the holders' campaign before the group stage.
With Wednesday's draw in Cairo confirming the 16 remaining teams, five clubs stand out as potential beneficiaries of the defending champions' absence.
Pyramids FC: Can Egypt's 2025 champions reclaim the crown?
Pyramids are among the clubs with particularly strong reasons to target the trophy.
The Egyptian side won their first CAF Champions League title in 2025 and have continued their development under South African coach Rulani Mokwena, who previously managed Sundowns.
According to CAF's assessment of the 16 qualified clubs, Pyramids won all eight home matches during their 2024/25 title-winning campaign.
They have also demonstrated impressive consistency this season, with Mokwena recording ten consecutive victories across all competitions by 16 October.
Drawn in Group D alongside Sudan's Al Hilal, Guinea's Horoya and Morocco's MAS de Fès, Pyramids have a realistic opportunity to advance.
Their previous title winning experience and formidable home record make them a serious contender, although Al Hilal's recent continental consistency presents an important challenge.
Espérance de Tunis: A fifth African title within reach?
Few clubs remaining in the tournament possess Espérance's continental pedigree.
The Tunisian giants have won the competition four times, most recently in 2019 and reached another final in 2024.
They are also preparing for their 11th consecutive group stage appearance, having progressed beyond the groups in each of their previous ten campaigns.
However, their qualification was far from convincing.
Espérance needed a penalty shootout to overcome Libya's Swehly SC after the two teams finished level at 1-1 on aggregate.
The draw nevertheless offers an intriguing opportunity.
Espérance will face Petro Atlético, FC Nouadhibou and Wiliete in Group A.
The Tunisian side will therefore meet the very team responsible for eliminating Sundowns, a reminder that the defending champions' absence does not automatically make qualification straightforward.
Their extensive knockout-stage experience could become particularly valuable if they recover their best form.
RS Berkane: Morocco's emerging continental powerhouse
RS Berkane have established themselves among Africa's leading clubs in recent seasons.
The Moroccan side won the CAF Confederation Cup in 2020, 2022 and 2025 before reaching the Champions League semi finals in 2025 /26.
Their campaign ended with a narrow 2-1 aggregate defeat against Moroccan rivals AS FAR.
Berkane have now returned to the competition after eliminating Sierra Leone's Star Sport Academy 3-0 on aggregate.
However, Group C promises to be demanding, with South Africa's Orlando Pirates, Tanzania's Simba SC and Cameroon's Colombe Sportive providing the opposition.
Berkane's growing experience at the highest continental level gives them a credible platform to challenge for a first Champions League title.
Their main task will be translating consistent performances in African competitions into another deep run in the continent's premier club tournament.
Zamalek: Can the five time champions end their 24 year wait?
Zamalek's return to the Champions League comes at a potentially important moment.
The Egyptian giants have won Africa's premier club competition five times but their last triumph dates back to 2002.
After a three season absence from the group stage, Zamalek qualified by winning all four matches in the preliminary rounds.
However, their route to the quarter finals will be particularly challenging.
As confirmed by Foot Africa's coverage of Wednesday's draw, Zamalek were placed in Group B alongside MC Alger, Club Africain and Young Africans.
The group brings together three former African champions and an ambitious Tanzanian side with recent knockout-stage experience.
Zamalek's continental history and successful qualifying campaign provide reasons for optimism, but the Egyptian club must first navigate one of the tournament's most competitive groups.
Orlando Pirates: South Africa's remaining hope
Orlando Pirates are perhaps the most direct beneficiaries of Sundowns' elimination.
With the defending champions absent, Pirates are South Africa's only representatives in the Champions League group stage.
The 1995 African champions return to this phase after winning the South African league title last season.
They also reached the Champions League semi finals in 2024 /25, demonstrating their ability to compete deep into the tournament.
Under coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, Pirates secured qualification with a convincing 5-0 aggregate victory over Namibia's African Stars.
However, they face a difficult Group C campaign against RS Berkane, Simba SC and Colombe Sportive.
The confrontation with Berkane is especially significant because both clubs feature among the potential title contenders.
For Pirates, Sundowns' absence creates an opportunity to strengthen their continental standing and pursue a second African crown.
Does Sundowns' elimination really change the title race?
The defending champions' departure removes one of the continent's strongest competitors, but it does not necessarily create an easier path to the trophy.
The Confederation of African Football confirmed Sundowns' elimination after Wiliete secured a historic qualification.
That result demonstrates how unpredictable the competition can be, even when an established favourite faces a relatively inexperienced opponent.
Another significant factor is the absence of record 12 time champions Al Ahly who are competing in the CAF Confederation Cup this season.
With both Al Ahly and Sundowns missing from the Champions League group stage, the field offers opportunities for clubs seeking to establish or restore their dominance.
However, the five highlighted contenders are not the only possible challengers. Al Hilal, Simba and Young Africans also possess the experience to influence the title race.
The group stage begins between 27 and 29 November, with the top two teams from each section advancing to the quarter finals.
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