MBABANE – Eswatini’s representatives in the 2026/27 CAF interclub competitions have discovered their preliminary round opponents following the official draw conducted at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.
MTN Premier League champions Nsingizini Hotspurs will compete in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League, where they have been drawn against familiar opposition in Scottland FC of Zimbabwe. The two sides previously met in a high-profile friendly at Somhlolo National Stadium shortly after former Nsingizini defender Kwakhe ‘Stopper’ Thwala sealed his transfer to the Zimbabwean outfit.
Nsingisini FC carry valuable continental experience into the tie, having reached the second preliminary round of the Champions League last season before being eliminated by Tanzanian giants Simba SC. Should Insingizi Yezulu navigate past their Zimbabwean counterparts, they will face the winner of the tie between Sierra Leone’s Star Sport A and Medina United of The Gambia in the second preliminary round.
Meanwhile, Eswatini’s CAF Confederation Cup representatives, Green Mamba, return to continental football after missing out on the previous campaign due to financial constraints. Inyok’eluhlazane last featured on the continent during the 2023/24 CAF Champions League.
The Mthunzi Ginindza-led side face a stern opening test, starting their campaign away to Angolan outfit CD 1º de Agosto in the first preliminary round. A victory over two legs would set up a second preliminary round clash against the winner of the fixture between Democratic Republic of Congo side DC Virunga and P. Bazar Brothers of Seychelles.
Aggregated winners from the second preliminary round will secure direct entry into the lucrative group stages of their respective competitions.
Elsewhere in the draw, DRC powerhouses AS Maniema Union—home to former Royal AM and Eswatini international forward Junior ‘Shisa’ Magagula—received a first-round bye. They await the winner of the tie between Namibia’s UNAM FC and Kabuscorp of Angola.
CAF has confirmed significant financial incentives for participating clubs. Every team entering the preliminary stages will receive a guaranteed participation fee of $100,000 (approx. E1.63 million).
The ultimate winners of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League will walk away with $6 million (approx. E98 million) in prize money, while the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup champions will earn $4 million (approx. E65 million).
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