As most local football teams in the top tier kick off their participation in the new season of the Betway Premiership, at least four South African sides will be chasing their African dream.
Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates have important battles in the CAF Champions League while the ever-improving Stellenbosch FC and Sekhukhune United chase glory in the Confederation Cup.
The sides are one step away from securing their spots in the group stages as they play in the two-legged second round of the preliminary phase.
Sundowns, one of the regulars in the Champions League, are favourites to book their place in the group stages against Eswatini minnows Mbabane Swallows.
Masandawana’s mission to qualify for the next round has received a major boost as Swallows play their home games at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville township in Pretoria.
The venue is a home ground for the Manqoba Mngqithi-coached outfit. One of the coach’s mandates is to deliver the coveted trophy to Chloorkop.
Sundowns have not been able to lift the trophy since 2016 when they won it under the tutelage of coach Pitso Mosimane.
The first leg against Swallows on Saturday kick-off at 20:00.
Meanwhile, Sundowns’ rivals Pirates, are in Botswana to take on Jwaneng Galaxy at Botswana National Stadium on Saturday at 16:00, South African time.
The Soweto giants will not be just looking to proceed to the next round but will also be out for revenge against the Botswana Premier League champions.
Galaxy knocked the Sea Robbers out of the running in the tournament last season in a similar stage of the competition.
In the Confederation Cup, Stellies will have to work their socks off if they are to outmuscle Congo giants AS Vita in the battle for a place in the group stages.
Unlike their previous opponent, Nsingizini Hotspur of Eswatini, in the tournament, Vita have more pedigree in African football. Stellies defeated Nsingizini 8-0 on aggregate.
The first leg of the clash takes place at Cape Town Stadium on Friday at 19:00.
After falling in the group stages of the Confederation Cup last season, Sekhukhune aim to do better this time around.
For the first leg, Babina Noko travel to Angola to face Lunda Sul at Estádio Nacional 11 de Novembro on Saturday at 16:00, South African time.
#TotalEnergiesCAFCL : Jwaneng Preview
— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) September 13, 2024
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