Mamelodi Sundowns handed intriguing CAF Women’s Champions League draw
Two-time African champions Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies will open their CAF Women’s Champions League Egypt 2026 campaign against hosts FC Masar on 1 November following the final draw conducted in Cairo on Tuesday.
The South African champions have been placed in Group A alongside FC Masar, Morocco’s FUS Rabat and Cameroon’s Lékié Football Girls as they seek a third continental crown following their triumphs in 2021 and 2023.
Their opening fixture against the Egyptian hosts promises to be a fascinating encounter, not least because FC Masar claimed a 1-0 victory over Sundowns when the teams met at the 2024 edition.
Sundowns will be looking for a different outcome this time as they seek to make a positive start to the competition, which runs from 1–15 November.
They follow their opening fixture with a meeting against Lékié Football Girls on 4 November before completing their group-stage programme against FUS Rabat on 7 November.
The Brazilians return to the continental finals after missing out in 2025 and will be hoping to continue their impressive record in the competition.
They secured their place in Egypt by winning the CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA Qualifier in Gaborone, Botswana, defeating Zambia’s ZESCO Ndola Girls 2-1 in the final in August.
Botswana international Refilwe Tholakele scored both goals in that victory, including the winner from the penalty spot, as Sundowns claimed their third regional title.
They had also won the regional competition in 2021 and 2023, going on to lift the continental trophy on both occasions.
Sundowns will be among the teams fancied to challenge for the title, although Group A presents several demanding opponents, including a home side that has already proved capable of beating them.
In Group B, defending champions AS FAR of Morocco will face Uganda’s Kawempe Muslim Ladies, Mali’s USFAS Bamako and the WAFU Zone B representative, whose identity is still to be confirmed.
AS FAR claimed their second continental crown last year with a 2-1 victory over Côte d’Ivoire’s ASEC Mimosas in the final, drawing level with Sundowns as the only clubs to have won the competition twice.
The eight teams have been divided into two groups of four, with the top two in each advancing to the semi-finals on 11 November.
The third-place play-off will take place on 14 November, followed by the final on 15 November, when the new champions of African women’s club football will be crowned.
Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies – Group A fixtures
1 November: FC Masar (Egypt) vs Mamelodi Sundowns
4 November: Lékié Football Girls (Cameroon) vs Mamelodi Sundowns
7 November: Mamelodi Sundowns vs FUS Rabat (Morocco)
Group B: AS FAR (Morocco), Kawempe Muslim Ladies (Uganda), USFAS Bamako (Mali), WAFU Zone B representative (to be confirmed).
