Orlando Pirates will defend a 1-0 advantage as they host Namibia's African Stars in the second leg of their CAF Champions League second preliminary round clash on Friday.
Tshepang Moremi's strike handed the Buccaneers a narrow win in the first leg, which was played on neutral ground in Botswana due to a lack of available suitable facilities in Namibia.
The away goals rule is used to decide ties when teams are deadlocked after 180 minutes across two legs. If there is still no winner, as was the case when Orlando Pirates played DR Congo's Saint-Eloi Lupopo last year at the same stage, then the tie goes straight to penalties with no extra time.
Against Lupopo, Pirates recovered from a 3-0 loss in their away leg to win 3-0 at home, but lost the subsequent shootout.
That was Abdeslam Ouaddou's first CAF Champions League campaign in charge of the club and after winning three domestic trophies last season (the Premiership, MTN8 and Carling Knockout), a deep continental run would cement the Moroccan's status as one of Orlando Pirates' most successful coaches ever.
The Bucs are heavy favourites for the clash at Orlando Amstel Arena, but as they learned last season, it counts for nothing unless they deliver on the pitch.
Key details
Date: Friday, Oct. 23 at 8:00 p.m. CAT (7:00 p.m. BST, 6:00 p.m. GMT)
Venue: Orlando Amstel Arena (also known as Orlando Stadium)
How to watch: The match is scheduled to air on SABC. ESPN provides coverage of South African football on our digital platforms
Team news
Star winger Oswin Appollis missed the first leg for Orlando Pirates, with Ouaddou saying it was a precautionary measure due to concerns about fatigue that may have led to the Bafana Bafana international being stretchered off in the win over TS Galaxy.
Ouaddou struck an optimistic tone over Appollis' condition, but is looking to preserve him ahead of the Soweto derby against Kaizer Chiefs on Oct. 31. Meanwhile, right-back Kamogelo Sebelebele is another injury concern for Pirates.
Expected lineups
Orlando Pirates
GK Sipho Chaine
LB Deon Hotto | CB Nkosinathi Sibisi | CB Lebone Seema | RB Bulelani Sigomoshe
CM Thapelo Mokobodi | CM Mthetheleli Mthiyane
LW Tshepang Moremi | AM Simphiwe Masilela | RW Gamphani Lungu
African Stars
GK Mervin Kasetura
LB Liam April | CB Tjimbinondjo Tjitemisa | CB Himeekua Ketjijere | RB Willy Stephanus
CM Edmar Kamatuka | CM Josef Bonifasius | CM Lyema Dopolo
LW Lawrence Doeseb | ST Rufus Sackie Jr. | RW Paulus Gideon
Stats
Orlando Pirates have kept clean sheets in 10 of their last 12 games in all competitions.
Orlando Pirates were the first South African team to win the CAF Champions League in 1995, but Mamelodi Sundowns have since overtaken them as the nation's most successful in the history of the competition, winning in 2016 and 2026.
