SA football giants Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns have discovered their opponents for the upcoming CAF Champions League preliminary rounds.
Pirates will meet Disciples FC of Madagascar in the first preliminary round of the Champions League, as determined in the draw held at the CAF headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, on Thursday afternoon.
Should Pirates emerge victorious from their opening match, they will take on a tougher test in the second preliminary round. The 1995 Champions League winners will be pitted against the winner of the clash between Morena Ramoreboli’s Jwaneng Galaxy from Botswana and African Stars of Namibia in the second preliminary round.
Last season, the Soweto giants suffered a shock exit from the Champions League at the hands of Galaxy in the last round of qualification. As a result, revenge will be on the cards for Orlando Pirates should they meet the Botswana side again.
The winners in the second preliminary round will qualify for the 2024/25 group phase of the Champions League.
Meanwhile, the 2016 Champions League winners, Mamelodi Sundowns, who were dumped out of the semi-finals by Tunisian giants Esperance last season, were exempt from the first preliminary round. They are one of the top five highest-ranked clubs in CAF club competitions.
Sundowns will face the winner of the tie between Mbabane Swallows of Eswatini and Clube Ferroviario da Beira from Mozambique in the second preliminary of the CAF Champions League.
The Tshwane giants will book a place in the group stages for the ninth time in a row if they are victorious in that match.
Stellenbosch & Sekhukhune United Set for Continental Challenge
Confederation Cup debutants Stellenbosch FC will play Nsingizini Hotspurs of Eswatini in the first preliminary round, and if they win, will face DR Congo’s AS Vita in the second preliminary round.
In addition, Sekhukhune United, the other SA club in the Confederation Cup, will not be involved in the first preliminary round as they are exempted and will await the winner between ASSM Elgeco Plus of Madagascar and Angolan side CD Luanda in the next stage.
The first leg of these prelim games in both competitions will be played from August 16 to 18, and the return leg from August 23 to 25.
This year’s Champions League will witness a fierce battle for continental glory, with 59 clubs representing 47 African nations vying for the coveted trophy.
Moreover, the Confed Cup promises no less drama. It features 52 teams from 41 countries, all aiming for continental dominance.
Last season saw history unfold as Al Ahly SC secured a record-extending 12th Champions League title, while their rivals Zamalek secured their second Confederation Cup trophy.
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