Mamelodi Sundowns have become the latest former CAF Champions League winners to fail to reach the group stage in the season immediately after securing the continental title.
The South African champions were knocked out of the 2026 competition by Angolan side Wiliete SC in the second preliminary round. After a goalless first leg, the teams drew 1-1 at Loftus Versfeld, with Wiliete progressing on the away-goals rule.
Sundowns’ early exit places them among a number of prominent African clubs who have been unable to defend their Champions League crown by reaching the group stage the following season.
Previous defending champions eliminated early
Raja Casablanca – 2000
Raja Casablanca won the competition in 1999, but the Moroccan club were eliminated by Senegalese side Jeanne d’Arc in 2000.
Hearts of Oak – 2001
Ghanaian club Hearts of Oak suffered a similar setback a year later. Having lifted the Champions League in 2000, the Phobians were knocked out by Congolese side Etoile du Congo in 2001.
Hearts of Oak lost 6-4 on aggregate after being beaten 5-1 in the return leg.
Al Ahly – 2002
Al Ahly did not reach the group stage in 2002, despite winning the competition the previous year.
Zamalek – 2003
Egyptian champions Zamalek were eliminated in 2003 by Tanzanian club Simba SC.
Etoile du Sahel – 2008
Tunisian side Etoile du Sahel missed out on the group stage in 2008 after losing to Zimbabwean outfit Dynamos.
Al Ahly – 2009
Al Ahly appeared on the list again in 2009, when Nigerian side Kano Pillars ended their campaign before the group stage.
TP Mazembe – 2011
TP Mazembe were disqualified from the 2011 competition because of an administrative error, preventing the DR Congo club from reaching the group stage.
Al Ahly – 2014
The Egyptian giants suffered another early exit in 2014, with Libyan side Al Ahli Benghazi eliminating them from the tournament.
TP Mazembe – 2016
TP Mazembe featured on the list for a second time in 2016 after being knocked out by Moroccan club Wydad Casablanca.
Mamelodi Sundowns – 2026
Sundowns are the latest defending champions to suffer that fate. Their elimination by Wiliete SC ended their hopes of retaining the CAF Champions League title in the 2026 campaign.
