A new chapter in Lesotho football is about to unfold as newly crowned Vodacom Premier League (VPL) champions Lijabatho FC prepare for their historic debut in the 2026/27 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League.
The Morija-based outfit will soon discover their preliminary-round opponents after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) officially unveiled the match calendar for the 2026/27 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.
CAF confirmed that the first preliminary-round matches will be played between 4 and 6 September 2026, with the return legs scheduled for September 11 to 13, 2026. The governing body is expected to announce the draw dates for the preliminary round in the coming days.
For Lijabatho, the announcement marks another significant milestone following a remarkable campaign that saw the club clinch its first-ever top flight title in May.
The championship victory secured the club’s maiden qualification for Africa’s premier club competition, giving them the opportunity to represent Lesotho against some of the continent’s biggest football clubs.
Lijabatho’s league triumph was built on consistency throughout the season, combining defensive discipline with clinical attacking performances to finish ahead of their domestic rivals. Their impressive run saw them secure the title with matches still remaining, underlining their dominance in the 2025/26 campaign.
Now, attention shifts from domestic success to the continental stage, where the club faces a new challenge against Africa’s elite.
CAF’s calendar shows that clubs advancing beyond the preliminary rounds will enter the group stage, which begins at the end of November 2026.
The group-stage fixtures have been scheduled as follows: match-day one: November 27–29, 2026, match-day two: December 4–6, 2026, match-day three: December 18–20, 2026, match-day four: January 8–10, 2027, match-day five: January 15–17, 2027, and match-day six: January 22–24, 2027.
The knockout phase will begin with the quarterfinals in late February 2027, followed by the semifinals in April, while the finals of both the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup will be played between May 9 to 31, 2027.
CAF has also maintained the lucrative prize money structure, with the winners of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League set to receive M 97,314,000.00 (USD 6 million), while the CAF Confederation Cup champions will pocket M 64,910,800.00 (USD 4 million).
For Lesotho football, Lijabatho FC’s participation represents more than just another continental campaign. It is an opportunity for the country’s newest champions to showcase the quality of local football on Africa’s biggest club stage.
The club’s continental debut is expected to elevate its profile beyond Lesotho’s borders while providing invaluable experience for its players against top-level opposition. Strong performances could also boost the reputation of the VPL and inspire other local clubs to compete for continental places
Summary
- A new chapter in Lesotho football is about to unfold as newly crowned Vodacom Premier League (VPL) champions Lijabatho FC prepare for their historic debut in the 2026/27 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League.
- The Morija-based outfit will soon discover their preliminary-round opponents after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) officially unveiled the match calendar for the 2026/27 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.
- The knockout phase will begin with the quarterfinals in late February 2027, followed by the semifinals in April, while the finals of both the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup will be played between May 9 to 31, 2027.
Seabata Mahao is a general news reporter with special focus on Business and Sports. Started working at Newsday in 2021. Working in a team with a shared goal is what I enjoy most and that gives me the motivation to work under any environment leading to growth.
