South Sudan champions El Merriekh SC Bentiu are set for a historic CAF Champions League showdown against Egyptian side Pyramids FC in the second preliminary round of the 2026/27 competition.
The tie will mark the first-ever meeting between El Merriekh and Pyramids in all competitions, adding another chapter to the South Sudanese club’s growing continental history.
El Merriekh booked their place in the second preliminary round after eliminating Heegan SC of Somalia 4–0 on aggregate. The Bentiu-based side won the first leg 1–0 before completing the tie with a 3–0 victory in the return fixture in Juba.
Pyramids, meanwhile, advanced in emphatic fashion against Kenya’s Gor Mahia.
The Egyptian club recorded a 2–0 victory in Nairobi before completing a commanding 5–1 win in Cairo, progressing 7–1 on aggregate.
The contrasting victories set up an intriguing encounter, with El Merriekh facing one of the strongest tests of their continental campaign.
The first leg of the second preliminary round is scheduled for 16–18 October, with the return leg taking place between 23–25 October 2026.
For El Merriekh, the tie offers the opportunity to make history against Pyramids and continue their pursuit of a place in the CAF Champions League group stage.
