Chiefs, Sundowns, Pirates and Stellenbosch braced for their CAF continental fate

Nigeria's Remo Stars, fresh from a commanding performance in the preliminary rounds, are gearing up for an encounter against South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns in the next round of the CAF Champions League.

The Nigerian champions have demonstrated their prowess with an impressive aggregate score of 5-0 after outclassing Comoros’ US Zilimadjou in the earlier stages. Coached by Daniel Ogunmodede, Remo Stars have been formidable in the competition so far, but the upcoming clash with Sundowns represents a significant step up in difficulty. The South Africans, known for their rich history in African football, will undoubtedly present a tough challenge for Remo Stars as they aim for a coveted spot in the CAF Champions League group stage.

The first leg is scheduled for mid-October, and anticipation is already building for what promises to be a captivating encounter as both teams vie for glory on the African stage.

Sundowns' Betway Premiership rivals, Orlando Pirates, have displayed remarkable form in the continental arena, following a resounding 7-0 aggregate victory over Lesotho's Lioli FC in their latest CAF Champions League matchup. The South African giants set the tone in the first leg with a convincing 3-0 win, further asserting their dominance with a spectacular 4-0 performance in the return leg.

The victory propels Orlando Pirates to a pivotal stage in the competition, where they await the outcome of the clash between the Congolese side Saint Eloi Lupopo and Sudan's Al-Merreikh. Lupopo currently holds a slender 1-0 advantage after their first-leg triumph, placing them in a favourable position as they prepare for the crucial second leg, scheduled for 4 October.

Their dominant performance against Lioli has not only underscored their championship aspirations but has also sent a clear message to potential adversaries: the Buccaneers are back and eager for glory.

Kaizer Chiefs secured their place in the second preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup by defeating Angolan side Kabuscorp 5-4 on penalties at Soccer City on Saturday. The encounter ended in a tense 1-1 stalemate on aggregate after Chiefs successfully overturned a first-leg deficit.

Chiefs' breakthrough came through a powerful strike from Glody Lilepo, which brought a wave of relief to the Chiefs faithful and ignited hopes of progression. This goal ensured the tie would go to a penalty shootout after the teams remained level.

In the defining moments of the shootout, Chiefs' goalkeeper Brandon Petersen emerged as the hero of the day, making a crucial save that turned the momentum back in favour of the home side.

With this win, Kaizer Chiefs now eagerly await the outcome of the clash between Congolese club AS Simba and Djabal d’Iconi from Comoros, who will battle it out in the next round. AS Simba hosted the first leg on Sunday, with the return fixture scheduled for next Saturday.

Meanwhile, Stellenbosch, who secured their CAF spot by finishing third last season in the Premiership, received a bye in the first round. They will enter the competition fresh in the second preliminary round, where they will take on Agosto of Equatorial Guinea.

Agosto demonstrated their prowess by defeating Foresters FC with an impressive aggregate score of 4-1. After a shaky start with a 1-0 loss in the first leg, Agosto dramatically turned the tables, clinching a resounding 4-0 victory in the second leg on Saturday.

For Stellenbosch, the stakes could not be higher. The squad aims to replicate last year's form, where strategic plays and teamwork propelled them to the cusp of continental success, with a semi-final appearance. Fans will undoubtedly rally behind their side, hoping to witness another exhilarating journey in the prestigious competition and replicate their impressive run from the previous campaign.