Gor Mahia F.C. now have a clear timeline for their return to continental football after Confederation of African Football officially unveiled the match calendar for the 2026/27 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League.
The Kenyan champions, who reclaimed the FKF Premier League title to secure a place in Africa’s premier club competition, will begin their continental journey in the preliminary rounds scheduled for September.
CAF confirmed that the first preliminary round will be played over two legs, with the opening fixtures taking place between 4-6 September 2026 before the return matches on 11-13 September 2026.
Should Gor Mahia progress, they will face another two-legged hurdle in the second preliminary round on 16-18 October and 23-25 October 2026, with qualification earning them a place in the lucrative group stage.
The group phase will run from late November 2026 to January 2027:
- Matchday 1: 27-29 November 2026
- Matchday 2: 4-6 December 2026
- Matchday 3: 18-20 December 2026
- Matchday 4: 8-10 January 2027
- Matchday 5: 15-17 January 2027
- Matchday 6: 22-24 January 2027
For Gor Mahia, the announcement provides valuable certainty as the club continues strengthening its squad ahead of a campaign that will test both its depth and experience. The record Kenyan champions are expected to be busy in the transfer market as they seek to assemble a team capable of ending their recent struggles in continental competitions.
If they reach the knockout stages, the quarter-finals are scheduled for late February and early March 2027, while the semi-finals will be played in April. The Champions League final will take place between 9 and 31 May 2027.
CAF also confirmed that the competition’s financial rewards remain unchanged, with the Champions League winners set to receive USD 6 million, underlining the enormous sporting and financial incentive for clubs across the continent.
The calendar allows Gor Mahia ample preparation time before their continental assignment, with supporters hoping the club can translate domestic dominance into a deeper run on the African stage after several early exits in recent years.
