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Orlando Pirates, September 2025Backpage
Khothatso Leballo

Difficult Pitches Await In DR Congo! Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs discover CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup second preliminary round opponents

The Soweto giants are pushing their continental ambitions while also trying to make a big mark on the domestic scene. They have passed through the first hurdle of the quest to play in the group stages of CAF tournaments and now know who they will meet in the last qualifying round.

  • Etiosa Ighodaro, Wandile Duba, Ethan Chislett and Gaston Sirino, Kaizer ChiefsBackpage

    Pirates and Chiefs know their opponents

    Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs are in the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup, respectively. 

    This is the final hurdle of the competition before the two teams reach the group phase.

    The last matches of the first preliminary round were concluded on Saturday, leaving the Soweto giants clear about who they will play.   

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  • Evidence Makgopa, Orlando PiratesBackpage

    Who will Pirates meet?

    The Buccaneers will come up against Saint-Eloi Lupopo from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

    They first visit Lupopo on October 18 for the first leg and then play the second leg at home seven days later.

    Lupopo secured passage to the second preliminary round after seeing off Al Merrikh by winning 1-0 at home, followed by a 0-0 draw away.  

  • Kaizer Chiefs, September 2025Backpage

    Check out Chiefs' opponents

    Chiefs will be up against another team from DR Congo and they are preparing for AS Simba.

    Just like Pirates, Amakhosi start away on October 17 and then host their visitors on October 24.

    AS Simba beat Djabal Club d'Iconi from the Comoros 3-0 on aggregate after a 2-0 away win and 1-0 victory at home to book a date with Chiefs.   

  • Oswin Appollis, Tshepang Moremi & Cemran Dansin, Orlando Pirates, September 2025Backpagepix

    The artificial turf in Lubumbashi

    Both Pirates and Chiefs will play their away games on synthetic grass in Lubumbashi.

    Lupopo are based at Frederic Kibassa Maliba Stadium, which has artificial turf, while AS Simba's home ground in CAF competitions is TP Mazembe with a similar surface. 

    The Premier Soccer League giants will be hoping their players will not find it difficult to play on synthetic grass.