Orlando Pirates and Sundowns CAF Champions League opponents revealed
The Buccaneers qualified for this year's edition by finishing second in the Betway Premiership behind Mamelodi Sundowns.
Last season, the Buccaneers lost out in the semi-finals of the competition after going down 3-2 to eventual winners Pyramids. This season, Pirates are looking to go a step further and win the competition.
In the first preliminary round, they need to see off Lioli FC over two legs to reach the second preliminary round. If they go through, Orlando Pirates will then qualify for the group stages of the CAF Champions league for the second season running.
Last week, the Sea Robbers edged out Polokwane City 2-0 to reach the semi-finals of the MTN8. The team looked sharp and fit in their opening match of the season however a week later, they went down 1-0 against Sekhukhune United in their first league match of the season.
Last season's runners-up Mamelodi Sundowns have been given a bye in the first round and will face either Remo Stars or US Zilimadjou in the second preliminary round.
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211.
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
TimesLIVE
11 minutes ago
- TimesLIVE
Five things we learnt from opening round of the Betway Premiership
If the excitement of the opening round of Betway Premiership action at the weekend is anything to go by, then we are in for an interesting season. Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch FC, who finished in the top three last season, got off to stuttering starts with the Buccaneers and Stellies losing and the Brazilians drawing. Below are five the things we learnt from the opening round of fixtures that provided some edge-of-seat thrills and spills. Chiefs are up and running Kaizer Chiefs started their league campaign with a 2-0 win over Stellenbosch FC in Cape Town despite playing the match without coach Nasreddine Nabi, who is on compassionate leave after his wife was involved in a car accident in Tunisia. Amakhosi did not dominate the determined Stellies, who played for more than 70 minutes with 10 men after defender Siviwe Nkwali was shown red, but there were positive signs of good things to come.
The South African
11 minutes ago
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs transfer news: New coach, Ngcobo, Mudau
Kaizer Chiefs are off to a flying start after winning their opening Betway Premiership match against Stellenbosch FC this past weekend. Amakhosi won 2-0 at the Athlone Stadium to secure all three points away from home. The team had to overcome Stellies without their head coach, Nasreddine Nabi. The 60-year-old Tunisian mentor returned home to attend to his injured wife, who was involved in an accident. Nabi's assistant Khalil Ben Youssef and Amakhosi's second assistant coach, Cedric Kaze were on the touchline and guided the Glamour Boys to their opening league win. Amakhosi's midfielder, Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, has been in sublime form since the pre-season. The 25-year-old attacker's contract with Kaizer Chiefs runs until 2026, but if the club don't exercise the option to extend his deal, he could leave for free next season. He has reportedly attracted interest from European teams. On Sunday, Mshini scored Amakhosi's opening goal against Stellies and was instrumental in the midfield. 'Last year it was not clear whether he was going to stay or not but this season it's believed that things have changed and the club is willing to keep him because the technical team wants him to be part of the squad which will play an important part this season. And now it's believed management has already exercised his one-year option on his contract so that they keep him until June 2027,' an insider told Soccer Laduma . Another player linked with Kaizer Chiefs is Khuliso Mudau. The lanky right-back has not featured for Masandawana this season. Zuko Mdunyelwa appears to have replaced Mudau at Downs but it remains to be seen if the Bafana Bafana star will leave Sundowns in the coming days. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
11 minutes ago
- The Citizen
Chiefs target Velebayi declared free agent
Spurs were relegated from the Motsepe Foundation Championship at the end of last season. Kaizer Chiefs have been handed an open route to sign former Cape Town Spurs midfielder Asanele Velebayi after he was declared a free agent by a Premier Soccer League Dispute Resolution Chamber. ALSO READ: Chiefs' Ben Youssef – 'We suffered a bit' Spurs were relegated from the Motsepe Foundation Championship at the end of last season. With their whole squad now effectively demoted to amateur status, Chiefs moved swiftly to sign Velebayi and Luke Baartman, believing they could get them for free. Spurs try to stop Chiefs Spurs, however, took the matter to a PSL DC arguing that they were entitled to a transfer fee for Velebayi, Baartman and Liam Bern, who was signed by AmaZulu. SABC Sport journalist Mazola Molefe, however, reported on Monday that the PSL DC have now declared Velebayi a free agent. 🔴 Breaking. PSL dispute resolution chamber has finally delivered a ruling on Asanele Velebayi – declaring him a FREE AGENT. Full story to follow. #sabcsport411 August 11, 2025 Chiefs have pursued Velebayi for some time. Ahead of last season, Spurs reportedly put a R12 million price-tag on Velebayi and Chiefs did not end up signing the talented midfielder. Baartman and Bern? Now, however, he looks free to join them, and while it is unclear right now whether the same applies to Baartman and Bern, it is also unclear how a PSL DC would come to as different conclusion. ALSO READ: Chiefs edge out ten-man Stellies Chiefs opened up their 2025/26 campaign on Sunday with a 2-0 Betway Premiership win away to Stellenbosch FC.
