South Africa’s representatives in the CAF Inter Club competitions have learned the path they will have to walk if they are to reach the group phase of the Champions League and Confederation Cup.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) conducted the Preliminary Rounds Draw for both competitions at its headquarters in Cairo on Thursday.
Mamelodi Sundowns, the reigning Champions League title holders, have been given a bye into the second preliminary round, where they will come up against either Wiliete de Benguela (Angola) or Foresters FC (Seychelles) for a place in the group stage.
Betway Premiership champions Orlando Pirates will face La Cure Waves of Mauritius in the first preliminary round, and should the Buccaneers prevail they will then come up against either AS Mangasport (Gabon) or African Stars (Namibia).
In the Confederation Cup, Kaizer Chiefs have been given a bye into the second preliminary round, where they will face either Red Arrows (Zambia) or FC Rouge (Madagascar).
South Africa’s other representative in the second-tier continental competition is Nedbank Cup champions Durban City, who will face Rukinzo FC (Burundi) in the first preliminary round, with a potential second round tie against either AS Port Louis (Mauritius) or Jwaneng Galaxy (Botswana).
The first preliminary round for both the Champions League and Confederation Cup will be played on the weekends of 4-6 September (first leg) and 11-13 September (second leg), while the second preliminary round will be played on the weekends of 16-18 October (first leg) and 23-25 October (second leg).
