Orlando Pirates were held to a shock 0-0 CAF Champions League draw by La Cure Waves in Mauritius last weekend, but will have home advantage for Saturday's first preliminary round second leg at Orlando Amstel Arena.
The Buccaneers have got their South African Premiership title defence off to a strong start with four wins and a draw against AmaZulu - one of the league's strongest sides. Abdeslam Ouaddou's side also set up an MTN8 final date with African champions Mamelodi Sundowns.
Sundowns lead the Premiership by six points, but Pirates have two games in hand. Kaizer Chiefs are two points behind Pirates and the 'big three' are South Africa's only three undefeated teams in the league so far this season.
It looks likely, then, that Pirates will once again be in the Premiership title race and competing for cups. However, the onus is on them to prove this season that they can mount a sustained domestic challenge while also competing on the continental front.
Pirates made the semi-finals in 2024-25 under José Riveiro, but their league title push ultimately petered out that season. In Ouaddou's first season, they were eliminated in the second preliminary round by Saint-Éloi Lupopo on penalties after a 3-3 aggregate draw.
Saturday's clash will be the first Champions League match at Orlando Amstel Arena since that heartbreaking day last year, which saw Pirates crash out despite recovering from a 3-0 away defeat.
The goalless draw in Mauritius has done little to help their cause. The away goals rule is still in effect in CAF Competitions, so Pirates will have to score twice if they concede once this weekend.
However, this tie - like the Lupopo one last year - will go straight to penalties without extra time if deadlocked at 0-0 after 180 minutes.
Key details
Date: Saturday, September 12 at 3 p.m. CAT (1 p.m. GMT)
Venue: Orlando Amstel Arena
Team news
Defender Cristian Derbyshire made his Orlando Pirates debut in the first leg. Winger Daniel Msendami, who started the 0-0 draw, has departed on loan for Marumo Gallants, with Abdoulaye Mariko joining him there for the season and Bheki Mabuza going the other way - joining Orlando Pirates permanently.
Expected lineups
Orlando Pirates
GK Sipho Chaine
LB Neo Rapoo | CB Cristian Derbyshire | CB Lebone Seema | RB Kamogelo Sebelebele
CM Makhehlene Makhaula | CM Simphiwe Selepe | CM Thapelo Mokobodi
LW Oswin Appollis | ST Yanela Mbuthuma | RW Bohlale Ngwato
La Cure Waves
GK Jean Ramdiane
LB Fabrice Augustin | CB Dorza | CB Owona Bina | RB Etienne
CM Aristide | CM Colin | CM Perticots
LW Adrien Francois | ST Moussango Bile | RW Ivan Ami
Stats
Orlando Pirates have kept 6 clean sheets in a row in all competitions.
Last weekend's 0-0 draw was the first ever meeting between La Cure Waves and Orlando Pirates.
