CAF Champions League: the defending champions who fell in the preliminary rounds before Mamelodi Sundowns

The elimination of Mamelodi Sundowns, the reigning CAF Champions League holders, by Wiliete SC in the second preliminary round came as a surprise on Friday 23 October.

The South African giants saw their continental campaign come to an end much sooner than expected, following a 1–1 draw at home in the second leg. A resounding setback, but not an unprecedented one in the competition’s history.

Before the Sundowns, seven former champions had already been knocked out in the preliminary rounds whilst entering the season as defending champions. Raja Casablanca topped this list in 2000, knocked out by Jeanne d’Arc. A year later, Hearts of Oak suffered the same fate against Étoile du Congo. In 2003, Zamalek were knocked out by Simba SC, before Étoile du Sahel fell to Dynamos in 2008.

The following year, Al Ahly in turn suffered a setback, beaten by Kano Pillars. TP Mazembe, meanwhile, features twice on this list: in 2011, against Al Ahli Benghazi, and then in 2016, against Wydad Casablanca.

In 2026, it was Mamelodi Sundowns’ turn to join this unenviable list.