Vodacom Premier League (VPL) champions Lijabatho FC will begin their maiden CAF Champions League campaign against Madagascar’s CFFA after the two clubs were paired in the preliminary round draw conducted yesterday at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.
The Morija-based side, which secured its first-ever league title during the 2025/26 season, will host or travel for the first leg over the weekend of September4–6, with the return fixture scheduled for September11–13.
CAF is expected to announce the venues and kick-off times in due course.
The draw marks another historic milestone for Lijabatho, who will become the latest Lesotho club to compete in Africa’s premier inter-club competition after earning qualification through their championship-winning domestic campaign.
The club faces a difficult assignment against the Madagascan outfit, but the tie also presents an opportunity to make an immediate statement on the continental stage and boost Lesotho’s football profile.
Lijabatho qualified for the 2026/27 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League after clinching their maiden Vodacom Premier League title, capping a memorable campaign that saw the Morija outfit emerge as the country’s new football champions.
Preparations are now expected to intensify ahead of the two-legged encounter as the club seeks to overcome its first continental hurdle and advance to the next round of the competition.
A positive result against CFFA would be a significant achievement for both the club and Lesotho football, which has struggled in recent years to make a lasting impact in CAF inter-club competitions.
With just weeks remaining before their continental debut, Lijabatho’s technical team will now shift its focus to ensuring the squad is fully prepared for what promises to be one of the biggest fixtures in the club’s history.
Summary
- Vodacom Premier League (VPL) champions Lijabatho FC will begin their maiden CAF Champions League campaign against Madagascar’s CFFA after the two clubs were paired in the preliminary round draw conducted yesterday at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.
- Preparations are now expected to intensify ahead of the two-legged encounter as the club seeks to overcome its first continental hurdle and advance to the next round of the competition.
- A positive result against CFFA would be a significant achievement for both the club and Lesotho football, which has struggled in recent years to make a lasting impact in CAF inter-club competitions.
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.
