CRDB Cup champions Simba SC secured early qualification for the 2026/27 CAF Champions League after confirming a second-place finish in the Tanzania Mainland Premier League.
The 2026/27 CAF Champions League calendar is expected to begin in September, with the preliminary rounds scheduled to take place at the start of the competition.
Football analysts believe next season could be a better one for Simba, with the club capable of making a deeper run and potentially improving their record of reaching the quarter-finals on multiple occasions.
The upcoming campaign will also see some major African clubs missing from the competition after failing to qualify.
Among the absent teams are record African champions Al Ahly, who will instead compete in the CAF Confederation Cup (CAFCC) next season.
Another notable absence is AS FAR, who reached last season’s CAF Champions League final before losing to Mamelodi Sundowns. They will also compete in the CAF Confederation Cup.
Other clubs missing from next season’s Champions League include CR Belouizdad, Wydad AC, and Raja CA, with the latter two failing to qualify for the competition for a second consecutive season.
Among the established teams remaining in the Champions League are Mamelodi Sundowns, Espérance, RS Berkane, Zamalek, Pyramids FC, and Al Hilal.
If Simba reach the group stage, they are expected to be placed in Pot 2 alongside Pyramids FC, Al Hilal, and their Tanzanian rivals Yanga SC.
With strong support in the transfer market and enough time for coach Steve Barker to prepare his squad, Simba have a good opportunity to compete strongly in next season’s CAF Champions League.
Simba had a disappointing campaign in last season’s Champions League, and their supporters now have high expectations for a much-improved performance in the upcoming tournament.
