South Africa’s representatives in CAF inter-club competitions now know the opponents standing between them and places in the group stages. Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns will face African Stars and Wiliete SC, respectively, in the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League.
Kaizer Chiefs, meanwhile, have been paired with Zambia’s Red Arrows in the CAF Confederation Cup. Durban City will face Mauritian outfit AS Port Louis in the second preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup after overcoming Burundi’s Rukinzo 3-1 on aggregate.
PIRATES SET FOR DATE WITH AFRICAN STARS
Pirates booked their passage with a 3-1 victory over Le Cure Waves SC at home on Saturday. The Buccaneers advanced by the same aggregate score after a goalless first leg in Mauritius.
Their reward is a meeting with Namibian champions African Stars, who produced one of the preliminary round’s standout comebacks.
Former Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Ronnie Kanalelo masterminded a 2-0 victory over Gabonese outfit AS Mangasport at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday.
Goals from Lawrence Doeseb and Liam April levelled the tie at 3-3 on aggregate after Stars had lost the first leg 3-1 in Gabon. The Namibians progressed on the away-goals rule.
Pirates are expected to visit African Stars in the first leg between 16 and 18 October, with the return fixture scheduled for the following weekend.
SUNDOWNS HANDED ANGOLAN TEST
Reigning African champions Sundowns will begin their continental campaign against Angolan side Wiliete SC. Wiliete swept aside Seychelles outfit Foresters FC 5-0 on aggregate to secure their place in the second preliminary round.
The Girabola side did most of the damage in a 4-0 first-leg victory, with Mabululu scoring twice. Former Pirates winger Gilberto and Cesar Cangue were also on target.
Mabululu struck again as Wiliete completed the job with a 1-0 win in the return leg. The Angolan club finished second in the Girabola last season and have carried that momentum into the new campaign, winning their opening three matches.
They will now face a Sundowns side aiming to return to the Champions League group stages and mount another serious challenge for the continent’s biggest club prize.
CHIEFS TO FACE RED ARROWS
In the Confederation Cup, Chiefs will take on Zambian giants Red Arrows. The Airmen cruised past Madagascar’s FC Rouge, winning the first-round tie 4-0 on aggregate. Amakhosi were exempted from the opening preliminary round and will begin their continental journey against familiar Southern African opposition.
The first legs of the second preliminary round are scheduled for 16–18 October, with the return matches set for 23–25 October. The aggregate winners will secure their places in the group stages of their respective competitions.
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