Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns Prepare for CAF Champions League
In an exciting development for South African football, the Orlando Pirates and the defending champions, Mamelodi Sundowns, have discovered their paths towards the group stages of the prestigious CAF Champions League. Both teams are poised and ready to make significant progress this season, especially following Orlando Pirates’ previous disappointment in missing the pool stages last year.
Orlando Pirates’ Journey Begins
The Pirates will kick off their campaign by facing La Cure Waves from Mauritius, who are newcomers to this level of competition. A successful outcome in this first preliminary round will see Pirates advancing to face the victor of the encounter between Mangasport from Gabon and the African Stars from Namibia. The stakes are high, as this journey could potentially lead them to the coveted group stages of the tournament.
Mamelodi Sundowns Eye Potential Matchup
On the other hand, Mamelodi Sundowns will enter the competition with a strategic advantage, having received a bye through the first round. They will be closely monitoring the matchup between Wiliete of Angola and Foresters FC from Seychelles, as they are expected to face Wiliete should the latter emerge victorious. With their experienced squad, Sundowns are favored to make a strong showing in these upcoming rounds.
Scheduling of Preliminary Rounds
The excitement begins with the first preliminary round, where the opening legs of matches are set to occur between September 4 and 6, followed by the return fixtures scheduled for September 11 to 13. As teams look forward to showcasing their talents on the continental stage, the second round of preliminary matches will commence from October 16 to 18, with decisive return legs planned for October 23 to 25.
