Kaizer Chiefs' CAF Challenge Revealed: Amakhosi Learn Confederation Cup Fate
Kaizer Chiefs have received a first-round bye in the 2026/27 CAF Confederation Cup, entering at the second preliminary stage against either Red Arrows or FC Rouge. Durban City, making their continental debut, will face Rukinzo in the opening round, aiming to navigate their challenging path to the group stage.
The 2026/27 CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round draw, held in Cairo on Thursday, has set the stage for two South African clubs, Kaizer Chiefs and newcomers Durban City, in their continental campaigns. Both teams now know their respective paths in the prestigious African club competition, with distinct challenges awaiting them.
Kaizer Chiefs, a prominent Betway Premiership side, have been granted a significant advantage by receiving a first-round bye. This exemption from the opening preliminary round means that Amakhosi will make their entrance directly into the second preliminary stage of the competition. Their initial challenge will be against the winner of the first preliminary round tie between Red Arrows of Zambia and FC Rouge of Madagascar. This pairing allows Kaizer Chiefs extra preparation time for their return to continental action, avoiding an extra qualifying tie. The first leg of this crucial second preliminary round encounter will be played away from home, with the decisive second leg hosted by Kaizer Chiefs at the end of October. Having reached the group stage last season but narrowly missing out on the quarter-finals – finishing third in Group D alongside Zamalek, Al Masry, and ZESCO United – Kaizer Chiefs, under new coach Fernando da Cruz who possesses continental experience, are determined to go one step further and secure a spot in the lucrative group stage this season.
Meanwhile, Durban City, making a historic continental debut after winning the Nedbank Cup, face a different trajectory. The KwaZulu-Natal outfit will commence their CAF Confederation Cup journey in the opening preliminary round. Their first opponent will be Rukinzo of Burundi. Durban City is scheduled to host the first leg of this tie during the weekend of September 4-6, before travelling to Burundi for the return fixture a week later, between September 11-13. Should Durban City successfully navigate past the Burundian side, they will then progress to the second preliminary round, where they would meet the winner of the match between AS Port Louis 2000 of Mauritius and Jwaneng Galaxy of Botswana. This presents a considerable challenge for the newcomers, requiring them to overcome two knockout rounds to reach the group stage.
The 2026/27 CAF Confederation Cup features a total of 56 clubs vying for continental glory, with the eventual champions set to receive a substantial prize money of $4 million. The tournament schedule is meticulously planned: the first preliminary round first legs are slated for September 4-6, followed by the second legs on September 11-13. The second preliminary round will see its first legs played between October 16-18, with the return fixtures concluding from October 23-25. The 16 triumphant clubs from the second preliminary round will then earn their coveted places in the group stage, which is set to kick off towards the end of November. Both Kaizer Chiefs, aiming to build on previous continental experience, and Durban City, embarking on their inaugural African campaign, face rigorous paths as they strive for success in this demanding competition.