CAF Sets September Start As Vipers And Kitara Carry Uganda To Africa
The Confédération Africaine de Football has confirmed the 2026/27 match calendar for the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup, with Africa’s club season set to start early and run until a May final.
Both competitions will open with the First Preliminary Round on 4-6 September 2026, with return legs a week later from 11-13 September. The Second Preliminary Round follows in October, scheduled for 16-18 October with the decisive second legs on 23-25 October. Once those hurdles are cleared, the group stages for both tournaments will begin at the end of November and run through January 2027, leading into the knockout phase and finals set for 9-31 May 2027.
CAF also confirmed the prize money remains unchanged: USD 6 million for the Champions League winners and USD 4 million for the Confederation Cup champions.
Uganda will have two representatives on that road. Vipers SC, crowned Uganda Premier League champions, will carry the country’s hopes in the CAF Champions League. The Venoms will do so under a new coach, with the September start giving the technical bench little time to settle before facing continental opposition.
Kitara FC will take Uganda’s slot in the CAF Confederation Cup after winning the Uganda Cup. For the Hoima-based side, it is a return to Africa and a chance to test themselves against established clubs while chasing a share of the USD 4 million prize.
The calendar puts immediate pressure on both UPL sides. With the first legs in early September and the second round in mid to late October.
Vipers SC earlier this week they appointed 61 year old French tactician Denis Lavagne on a two-year employment contract replacing Ivan Mineart.
Yesterday Vipers SC confirmed the signing of Midfielder Joel Sserunjogi and on the other hand Taddeo Lwanga left the Venoms ahead of his anticipated move to AFC Leopards.