Kenyan football fans know the proverb: “Thunder does not strike the same tree twice.”

When the Uefa Champions league playoff draw was done in Zurich on Friday, Jose Mourinho was handed that opportunity to prove the proverb wrong.

Benfica will face Real Madrid again, setting up a rematch that could decide if the Spanish giants avenge their earlier defeat.

The two-legged tie will be played on 17–18 February (first legs) and 24–25 February (second legs).

Winners join the top eight automatically qualified teams — including Arsenal, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham and Sporting CP — in the Round of 16.

“This is a tough draw, but we are ready for the challenge,” a Benfica spokesperson said.

Full Champions League knockout play-off draw (9th–24th)
Second leg (24–25 Feb)

Tie
First leg (17–18 Feb)

• Benfica vs Real Madrid
• Bodø/Glimt vs Inter
• Monaco vs PSG
• Qarabağ vs Newcastle United
• Galatasaray vs Juventus
• Club Brugge vs Atlético Madrid
• Borussia Dortmund vs Atalanta
• Olympiacos vs Bayer Leverkusen

If Newcastle United defeats Qarabağ, the Premier League could have six teams in the Round of 16.

France, on the other hand, will be represented by only one team from the play-offs, as either Monaco or PSG will advance, but not both.

For PSG, the tie is a “double-edged sword” — a chance to assert dominance, but also a must elimination of the other French team.

The knockout play-offs promise drama, revenge narratives and tactical chess matches.

Benfica vs Real Madrid stands out not just for its history but for its timing — with both sides needing a win to keep their continental ambitions alive.

Arsenal and other top seeds are watching closely, ready to step into the Round of 16 once play-off winners are decided.

Football fans across Kenya are now counting down to February 17, when Europe’s most unpredictable stage kicks off and the battle for the 2026 Champions League truly begins.