Yanga, Simba, Azam set to learn Caf opponents today
A combination photo of Yanga attacking midfielder Allan Okello (left), Azam FC midfielder Feisal “Fei Toto” Salum, and Simba midfielder Clatous Chama. PHOTO | COURTESY
Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s six representatives in the 2026/27 CAF interclub competitions will discover their continental opponents today when the Confederation of African Football (CAF) conducts the preliminary round draw in Cairo, Egypt.
The draw, which will determine the opening fixtures of the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup, is scheduled to take place in Cairo today, with the Confederation Cup draw expected to start at 2pm East African Time, followed by the CAF Champions League draw at 3pm.
Mainland Tanzania champions Young Africans (Yanga) and runners-up Simba SC will represent the country in the CAF Champions League, while Azam FC and Singida Black Stars will compete in the CAF Confederation Cup.
Zanzibar will also have two representatives, with KVZ featuring in the Champions League and KMKM taking part in the Confederation Cup.
The draw comes at a crucial stage for Tanzania’s clubs as they begin their preparations for another demanding continental campaign. The first preliminary round matches are scheduled for September 4-6, with return legs set for September 11-13.
Winners of the opening round will progress to the second preliminary round, where first-leg matches will be played from October 16-18 before the return fixtures between October 23-25. The group stage is scheduled to begin in late November, with Matchday One set for November 27-29.
For Yanga and Simba, the Champions League journey will begin earlier after they missed out on automatic qualification to the second preliminary round.
The two Tanzanian giants are among the clubs expected to feature in the first preliminary round, meaning they must overcome two knockout stages to reach the group stage.
Only three clubs, defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa, Morocco’s RS Berkane and Tunisia’s Esperance — received direct qualification to the second preliminary round based on their continental rankings and recent performances.
Yanga will enter the competition with confidence after establishing themselves as one of East Africa’s most consistent performers.
The Jangwani Street giants reached the CAF Champions League quarter-finals in the 2023/24 season before making consecutive group-stage appearances in the following campaigns.
The Tanzanian champions will be hoping to go further this time and challenge for a title that has remained beyond the reach of Mainland Tanzanian clubs during the CAF Champions League era.
Simba, meanwhile, return with renewed ambition after reaching the quarter-finals in the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons before finishing their 2025/26 campaign at the group stage.
The Msimbazi Street club has strengthened its squad ahead of the new season and will be targeting a return to the latter stages of Africa’s premier club competition.
In the Confederation Cup, Azam FC received a boost after earning direct qualification to the second preliminary round, giving them a shorter route to the group stage. Singida Black Stars, however, will begin from the first preliminary round and must win two knockout ties to advance.
Meanwhile, KVZ and KMKM will be aiming to enhance Zanzibar’s growing presence in African club football as all six Tanzanian representatives prepare for the continental challenge.
CAF club competitions remain highly lucrative, with Champions League winners set to receive $6 million, while Confederation Cup champions will earn $4 million, increasing the motivation for clubs across Africa to progress deeper into the tournaments.
