Mayambela's journey to UCL mapped out

Bafana Bafana winger Mihlali Mayambela has discovered the first obstacle in Omonoia’s bid to reach the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League league phase after UEFA confirmed the Cypriot side’s qualifying path.

The Nicosia-based outfit will take on the winner of the first qualifying round clash between Kairat Almaty and Sutjeska in the second qualifying round of the competition.

Mayambela, who joined Omonoia ahead of the new campaign, now knows the route his side must navigate if they are to break into Europe’s elite club competition.

UEFA has confirmed that the first leg will be played on 21 or 22 July, with the return fixture scheduled for 28 or 29 July.

For the South African international, it presents an immediate opportunity to make his mark on the continental stage, with Omonoia needing to come through three qualifying rounds and a play-off to secure a place in the league phase.

It is worth noting that Mayambela has previously played in Champions League qualifying, appearing in four qualifiers for his former side Aris Limassol back in 2023.

READ: McCarthy discovers UECL qualifying opponents

However, he has never reached the competition’s main phase.

Since his move from Aris Limassol to Omonoia in January, Mayambela has only played six games so far, as his first five months at the club were disrupted by injury.