The draw for the 2026-2027 CAF Confederation Cup group stage has been announced, with DR Congo's Maniema Union placed in Group C. The team from Kindu will compete against Tanzania's Singida Black Stars and Zambia's Red Arrows FC. A fourth opponent will be determined from the preliminary round, with CRB, ASDMTN, HFC, or CUB still in contention. Maniema Union is the sole representative from the Democratic Republic of the Congo in this stage of the competition.
Maniema Union had a strong showing in the previous edition, reaching the quarterfinals before being eliminated. For the 2026-2027 campaign, the team has set an ambitious goal to progress as far as possible in the competition. The club's performance will be closely watched by fans in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The team will need to be in top form to compete against their Group C opponents.
The draw for the group stage was conducted on October 28 in Cairo, Egypt. A total of four groups were drawn, with 16 teams competing for a spot in the knockout stages. Group A consists of Raja Casablanca from Morocco, Al Ahly FC from Egypt, ASKO de Kara from Togo, and Primeiro de Agosto from Angola. These teams will face stiff competition in the group stage.
Group B features AS FAR from Morocco, Azam FC from Tanzania, Al Ahly Tripoli from Libya, and Durban City FC from South Africa. The teams in this group will need to be at their best to advance to the next stage. Meanwhile, Group D comprises USM Alger from Algeria, CS Sfaxien from Tunisia, Black Bulls from Mozambique, and Real de Bamako from Mali.
The group stage is scheduled to take place from November 2026 to January 2027. The first matchday is set for November 27-29, with the sixth and final matchday taking place on January 22-24. The teams will need to be well-prepared to navigate the demanding schedule. Fans will be eagerly anticipating the start of the group stage.
Maniema Union secured their spot in the group stage after defeating Kabuscorp 4-1 in the previous round. The team's confidence will be boosted by this impressive win. They will look to build on this momentum in the group stage. The competition is expected to be fierce, with several teams vying for a spot in the knockout stages.
The CAF Confederation Cup is a prestigious competition, with teams from across Africa competing for the top prize. Maniema Union's participation in the group stage is a significant achievement for the club and DR Congo football. The team's performance will be closely watched by fans across the continent. The competition will provide a platform for teams to showcase their skills and compete against top opponents.
Key points
- Maniema Union drawn into Group C with Singida Black Stars and Red Arrows FC
- Group stage to take place from November 2026 to January 2027
- Maniema Union aims to progress as far as possible in the competition
