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PSL's big three hit the road for CAF

Brayan Leon of Mamelodi Sundowns in action against Ibrahima Keita of Esperance Tunis in the 2025/2026 CAF Champions League semifinals in Pretoria on April 17 2026. / BackpagePix

South African football’s big three — Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs — are all in CAF action this weekend, with Durban City the only other local side in continental competition.

Pirates have the shortest trip, travelling to Gaborone to face Namibia’s African Stars in the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League at the Botswana National Stadium on Saturday at 3pm SA time.

The Windhoek-based Namibian champions have opted to play in neighbouring Botswana because their country has no venue suitable for CAF fixtures.

South African champions Pirates are unbeaten in the league after eight matches, but head into Africa’s premier club competition licking their wounds after losing to Sundowns in last weekend’s MTN8 final.

However, the Buccaneers will be armed with greater firepower against Stars and driven by the desire to reclaim the continental crown they last won in 1995.

Pirates’ Champions League fortunes since then have been mixed. Although they reached the final in 2013, their overall record has been disappointing, with several early exits, including last season’s defeat by DR Congo’s FC Lupopo. 


African Stars have also struggled to make a significant impact in continental competition. However, the absence of domestic league action could make them an unpredictable opponent, with Namibia’s new season scheduled to begin next weekend.

On Sunday, defending Champions League champions Sundowns travel to southern Angola to face Girabola champions Wiliete in Lubango. Kick-off at Tundavala Stadium is at 5pm SA time.

Angolan clubs can be formidable opponents in continental competition, and Wiliete will be eager to give Sundowns a stern test.

The Benguela-based club, formed only eight years ago, has risen through the ranks of Angolan football, qualifying for the Champions League after finishing as league runners-up in each of the past two seasons. Angola is among the 12 countries entitled to enter two teams in the competition.

Wiliete currently top the Angolan league after six matches without defeat. Sundowns, however, will be expected to draw on their continental experience and demonstrate why they remain among Africa’s leading clubs.

Meanwhile, Chiefs travel to Ndola to face Zambia’s Red Arrows in the second preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup on Saturday. Kick-off at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium is at 3pm SA time.

Although Arrows are based in the capital, Lusaka, they have opted to stage the fixture about 320km away in Ndola, the capital of the Copperbelt Province.

Chiefs are familiar with the venue, having beaten ZESCO United there in January during the 2025/2026 Confederation Cup group stages.

Amakhosi are struggling for form in the league so far, but will hope to reproduce the performance that earned them victory over ZESCO. 


Durban City are the only South African representatives playing at home this weekend. They host Mauritius’ AS Port-Louis at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Sunday at 3pm.

The Citizens qualified for the Confederation Cup by winning the Nedbank Cup. However, they have struggled in the new season, managing just one win in eight matches.

Their biggest talking point is the appointment of Eric Tinkler as head coach last week, following the dismissal of Tunisian coach Khalil Ben Youssef.

City should make home advantage count as they seek to overcome the visitors from the Indian Ocean island.

Lebohang Maboe of Kaizer Chiefs in the middle of action against ZESCO United in Ndola, Zambia, in January. /Backpagepix






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