Caf Champions League 2019/20: Preliminary round fixtures on 9-11 August

Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates are once again South Africa’s hope in the Caf Champions League, with the 2019/20 edition kicking off on Friday.

The two past winners return to the continent’s premier club competiton, after occupying the top two spots in the domestic league – just as was the case in the previous edition.

Sundowns, who are the reigning PSL champs, went the furthest last time around, famously beating Africa’s club of the century Al-Ahly 5-0 in the quarterfinals to book a spot in the last four.

It was the semis which proved to be the end of the road for the 2016 Caf Champions League winners, who were eliminated by eventual runners-up Wydad Athletic Club from Morocco.

They now get another bite at the cherry, as they travel to Congo-Brazzaville to square off against the country’s reigning champions AS Otoho on Sunday.

However, before that, their compatriots are in action, also away from home, as they trek up all the way to Zambia for their opener.

Pirates, who last won the competition in 1995, come up against Zambian Super League runners-up Green Eagles at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka on Saturday afternoon.

CAF Champions League preliminary round first leg fixtures

Friday: JS Kabylie (ALG) v Al Merrikh (SUD), AS SONIDEP (NIG) v USM Alger (ALG).

Saturday: Cano Sport Academy (GEQ) v Mekelle 70 Enderta (ETH), Young Africans (TAN) v Township Rollers (BOT), UD Songo (MOZ) v Simba (TAN), Green Eagles (ZAM) v Orlando Pirates (RSA), Green Mamba (SWZ) v ZESCO Utd (ZAM), Rahimo (BUR) v Enyimba (NGR), Kano Pillars (NGR) v Asante Kotoko (GHA), African Stars (NAM) v Kampala Capital City Authority (UGA), Nyasa Big Bullets (MAW) v Platinum (ZIM), Stade Malien (MLI) v Horoya AC (GUI), KMKM (ZAN) v Primeiro Agosto (ANG), Brikama Utd (GAM) v Raja Casablanca (MAR).

Sunday: Fomboni (COM) v Cote d’Or (SEY), Atlabara (SSD) v Al Ahly (EGY), AS Tempete Mocaf (CAR) v Al Nasr (LBA), Hafia (GUI) v Etoile Sahel (TUN), Aigle Noir Makamba (BDI) v Gor Mahia (KEN), LPRC Oilers (LBR) v Generation Foot (SEN), SO Armee (CIV) v Nouadhibou (MTN), Buffles Borgou (BEN) v ASC Kara (TOG), Rayon Sports (RWA) v Al Hilal (SUD), Fosa Juniors (MAD) v Pamplemousses (MRI), AS Otono (CGO) v Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA), Cercle Mberi Sportif (GAB) v Elect-Sport (CHA), Matlama (LES) v Petro Luanda (ANG), UMS Loum (CMR) v AS V Club (COD), Dekedaha (SOM) v Zamalek (EGY).

Byes: Esperance (TUN, holders), Wydad Casablanca (MAR), TP Mazembe (COD).