South Africa’s football giants Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs return to continental action this week as the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup second preliminary-round return legs take centre stage.
The three clubs face crucial encounters on Friday, October 23, as they battle to secure places in the group stages of their respective competitions.
While defending CAF Champions League champions Sundowns and Betway Premiership champions Pirates are competing for Africa’s premier club football crown, Chiefs are fighting to keep their CAF Confederation Cup campaign alive.
According to the confirmed fixtures, the return legs will determine which clubs advance to the group stages of the 2026/27 continental competitions.
Sundowns will host Angola’s Wiliete SC after playing to a goalless draw in the first leg away from home. The Brazilians will be looking to use their home advantage to overcome the Angolan outfit and continue their title defence.
The Pretoria-based side enters the return encounter under pressure to deliver a convincing performance after failing to find the back of the net in the opening leg.
Orlando Pirates, meanwhile, will take a narrow advantage into their home encounter against Namibia’s African Stars.
The Buccaneers secured a 1-0 victory in the first leg in Gaborone, Botswana, with Tshepang Moremi scoring the decisive goal in the 75th minute.
Pirates will be hoping to build on that result and secure qualification for the next stage as they pursue continental glory.
In the CAF Confederation Cup, Kaizer Chiefs face a must-win encounter against Zambia’s Red Arrows at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
Amakhosi suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat in the first leg in Ndola, leaving them needing to overturn the deficit in front of their supporters.
Chiefs must win by at least two goals to secure qualification without a penalty shootout. A 1-0 victory would take the tie to penalties, while another defeat or a draw would see them eliminated.
Coach Fernando da Cruz has called for unity among the players and supporters as the Soweto giants prepare for the decisive encounter.
With all three clubs facing different challenges, Friday’s fixtures promise an important night for South African football.
Sundowns will be seeking to protect their status as African champions, Pirates will aim to complete the job after their first-leg victory, while Chiefs face the greatest pressure after falling behind in Zambia.
The stakes are high, with progression to the group stages bringing the clubs closer to continental silverware and the financial rewards associated with competing among Africa’s leading teams.