Top clubs on the continent set to represent Southern Africa in CAF Interclub competitions
The identity of the leading clubs expected to represent Southern Africa in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League 2026/27 and TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup 2026/27 has taken shape following the conclusion of domestic competitions across the COSAFA region.
The final entries remain subject to confirmation by the respective Member Associations and compliance with CAF Club Licensing requirements, but the list contains a mixture of former African champions, established continental campaigners and ambitious newcomers.
South African champions Orlando Pirates will be among the biggest names from the region in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League. The Buccaneers were crowned African champions in 1995 and finished runners-up in 2013, giving them pedigree in the continent’s premier club competition.
They will be joined by defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns, who finished runners-up in the South African league last season. The country is able to enter two teams into CAF Interclub competitions given their CAF Ranking.
Cup winners Durban City and Kaizer Chiefs will be their two entrants into the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.
Angolan champions Petro de Luanda will also bring considerable experience. Petro have regularly competed in the group stages in recent seasons and reached the semi-finals in 2021/22, their best performance in the competition.
Wiliete de Benguela will be the second team from the country as they are also able to enter two sides, and they were also Cup winners last season. Primeiro de Agosto and Cup runners-up Kabuscorp FC are therefore set for the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.
Zambian champions Power Dynamos return with growing continental experience, having reached the group stage of the 2025/26 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League. Red Arrows, winners of the ABSA Cup, are the country’s leading candidate for the Confederation Cup.
There will also be significant interest in Zimbabwe’s Scottland FC, who are preparing for their first appearance in continental competition. Scottland won the domestic championship in their debut top-flight season, completing a remarkable rise and earning the right to enter the Champions League.
Traditional giants Dynamos, winners of the FA Cup, are in line to contest the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.
Lesotho champions Lijabatho are another notable new name after securing the first league title in their history, while Mauritius champions La Cure Waves also celebrated a breakthrough campaign. La Cure Waves completed a historic league and MFA Cup double and are set for their first Champions League appearance.
Domestic doubles were also completed by Nsingizini Hotspurs in Eswatini and União Desportiva do Songo in Mozambique. Where the same club has won the league and national cup, the relevant Member Association must nominate an eligible Confederation Cup representative in accordance with CAF regulations.
Elsewhere, Gaborone United, Fomboni FC, CFFA, Mighty Wanderers, African Stars and Foresters are among the champions hoping to carry their domestic success onto the continental stage.
The cup winners in contention include Jwaneng Galaxy, Atomic Ngomé, FC Rouge, Silver Strikers, University of Namibia FC and PTL Bazar Brothers, ensuring Southern Africa will again provide a diverse and competitive group of clubs for the new CAF Interclub season.
Angola
League winners: Petro de Luanda
Cup holders: Wiliete de Benguela
Botswana
League winners: Gaborone United
Cup holders: Jwaneng Galaxy
Comoros
League winners: Fomboni FC
Cup holders: Atomic Ngomé
Eswatini
League winners: Nsingizini Hotspurs
Cup holders: Nsingizini Hotspurs (beat Green Mamba in the final)
Lesotho
League winners: Lijabatho
Cup holders: No cup competition
Madagascar
League winners: Centre de formation de football d'Andoharanofotsy (CFFA)
Cup holders: FC Rouge
Malawi
League winners: Mighty Wanderers
Cup holders: Silver Strikers
Mauritius
League winners: La Cure Waves
Cup holders: La Cure Waves (beat ASPL 2000 in the final)
Mozambique
League winners: União Desportiva do Songo
Cup holders: União Desportiva do Songo (2025 edition, beat Black Bulls in the final)
Namibia
League winners: African Stars
Cup holders: University of Namibia FC
Seychelles
League winners: Foresters
Cup holders: PTL Bazar Brothers
South Africa
League winners: Orlando Pirates
Cup holders: Durban City
Zambia
League winners: Power Dynamos
Cup holders: Red Arrows
Zimbabwe
League winners: Scottland FC
Cup holders: Dynamos