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Samuel Nkosi

After Bafana Bafana World Cup qualifying joy it's straight back to continental business for PSL's top teams, Thembinkosi Lorch & Rhulani Mokwena as CAF second preliminary knockouts loom

Bafana Bafana concluded a successful international break with qualification for the 2026 World Cup. GOAL now turns its attention to the PSL clubs and South African stars taking centre stage in the CAF inter-club competitions this weekend, with an array of challenges awaiting across the continent.

As the dust settles for Bafana’s historic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the spotlight shifts to the giants of the African continent who are gearing up for the second preliminary rounds in the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup competitions.

Sipho Mbule and his teammates secured a ticket to the World Cup staged in the USA, Mexico, and Canada next year in the final match of the qualifying campaign as South Africa brushed aside Rwanda with an emphatic 3-0 victory at Mbombela Stadium on Tuesday night, while Nigeria did them a much needed favour in beating Benin to ensure the Hugo Broos-coached team finished the Qualifiers at the summit of Group C with 18 points in 10 matches played.  

With international football now out of the way, the second preliminary rounds of CAF football will take centre stage with PSL sides Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns, and Stellenbosch FC in action, while South Africans like Rhulani Mokwena and Thembinkosi Lorch also face continental opposition. 

GOAL looks at mouth-watering clashes in the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup featuring South Africans: 

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  • Evidence Makgopa, Orlando PiratesBackpage

    FC Saint-Eloi Lupopo vs Orlando Pirates

    Pirates are set to travel to Lubumbashi to face Lupopo in the first leg of the CAF Champions League second preliminary rounds. The Buccaneers will have a challenging task against the DRC outfit after having an easy pass in the first preliminary round with a 7-0 win on aggregate against Lioli FC.

    Lupopo qualified for the Champions League for the first time since 2010 after finishing as runners-up in their domestic league behind Jeunesse Sportive de Kinshasa. 

    The Railmen advanced to the second preliminary round with a 1-0 win on aggregate against Sudanese club Al-Merrikh. 

    While St. Eloi Lupopo could pose a threat to Pirates, according to their former coach Luc Eymael, the Soweto giants have the advantage of having made it to the group stages before and even reaching the semi-final of the competition last season. 

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  • Mamelodi Sundowns players vs Richards BayBackpagepix

    Remo Stars vs Mamelodi Sundowns

    After sitting out of the first preliminary round of the Champions League, Sundowns will begin their ever-elusive Champions League chase with a trip to Nigeria to face Remo Stars. 

    Stars are relatively inexperienced in continental football after being established in 2004.  The Sky Blue Stars have since made a steady rise into prominence in Nigerian football.  

    Last season, the NPFL sides won their maiden league title to secure a spot in the 2025/26 CAF Champions League.

    Interestingly, they have qualified for the Champions League for the second time in the club's history after participating in the 2023/24 campaign, where they crashed out in the first round on penalties against Madeama SC of Ghana.

    Sundowns remain hot favourites to edge out Remo Stars for a place in the group stage after making it all the way to the final last season. The Brazilians lost 3-1 on aggregate in a two-legged final against Egyptian side Pyramids FC.

  • Glody Lilepo, Kaizer Chiefs, Nuno, Kabuscorp, September 2025Backpage

    AS Simba vs Kaizer Chiefs

    Following an unconvincing 5-4 win on penalties against Angolan side Kabuscorp SCP in the first round of the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary rounds, Chiefs will shift their focus to Simba, eyeing an improved performance in Lubumbashi, the same city where Lupopo will host Orlando Pirates this coming weekend.

    Amakhosi have been in a poor run of form coming into the Confederation Cup showdown as they are winless in their last three matches in the PSL.   

    Meanwhile, Chiefs also crashed out of the 2025 Carling Knockout Cup after a 5-4 defeat in the penalty shootout against Stellenbosch FC at the DHL Stadium before the FIFA international break.

    After traveling to the DRC in the first leg, the Glamour Boys will welcome Simba to the Dobsonville Stadium the following weekend.

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  • Stellenbosch FC, August 2025Backpage

    15 de Agosto de Akonibe vs Stellenbosch

    Stellies also sat out of the first round of the Confederation Cup after reaching the semi-final of the competition, where they were knocked out by Tanzanian giants Simba SC under the then-head coach Fadlu Davids. The South African coach has left Simba to take over the hot seat at Raja Casablanca in Morocco. 

    The Winelands-based side will jet out to Equatorial Guinea to lock horns with 15 de Agosto, aiming to continue their rise in the African continent after impressing in the past two seasons. 

    Stellebosch has had a challenging start to the 2025/26 campaign in the PSL as they are languishing in 14th place with six points after nine matches played. The 2023 Carling Knockout winners have only managed to collect maximum points once this season, played three draws, and lost five times. 

  • Rhulani Mokwena, Wydad ACWydad AC

    Colombe Sportive vs MC Alger

    MC Alger’s Champions League participation sees head coach Rhulani Mokwena sit on the bench in the tournament for the first time since leaving Sundowns at the end of the 2023/24 season. 

    The highly rated coach took over the coaching role at the Algerian giants after spending the previous campaign with Wydad Casablanca in Morocco. Mokwena has had a promising start to life in Algeria after winning three league matches and drawing one in four opening matches of the season. 

    In his spell with Sundowns, the South African tactician gained valuable experience in the Champions League after reaching the semi-finals for two seasons in a row. Mokwena’s insight will be crucial in propelling his charges past the Cameroon champions and into the group stages of the competition. 

  • lorchGetty Images

    Asante Kotoko vs Wydad AC

    With Wydad traveling to Ghana for the second preliminary round of the Confederation Cup, Thembinkosi Lorch is expected to play a major role in the club’s continental ambitions.

    The talented winger has proven his worth at the Red Castle after joining the club during the 2025 January transfer window on loan from Mamelodi Sundowns, before the move was made permanent in August 2025.

    Lorch produced impressive performances in the FIFA Club World Cup for Wydad against big clubs such as Juventus FC and Manchester City. Following his permanent move to Wydad, the former Orlando Pirates star has scored two goals in four matches in the Botola Pro.  

    Wydad will need him to be in top form to progress past the Ghanaian giants, who have two (1970 & 1983) CAF Champions League titles to their name.

  • Caf Champions League trophy, May 2024Backpage

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