Orlando Pirates and Durban City handed demanding CAF group-stage draws

Orlando Pirates and Durban City face difficult challenges in Group C after being drawn against strong opposition in the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup respectively.

The group-stage draw took place in Egypt on Wednesday, with both South African clubs learning the identity of their opponents in the early phase of their continental campaigns.

Pirates will play Moroccan side RS Berkane, Simba SC of Tanzania and Cameroonian club Colombe Sportive in the CAF Champions League.

The Johannesburg club have considerable experience in African competition, but their latest group contains several potential obstacles. RS Berkane are established campaigners who are capable of making matches difficult, while Simba SC’s Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam is a particularly challenging venue for visiting teams.

Simba SC are coached by South African Steve Barker, adding a further connection to the group. Pirates have never faced Colombe Sportive before and will need to negotiate the Cameroonian side alongside familiar opponents from recent continental campaigns.

Pirates met Simba twice in 2022. Each team won 1-0 at home before Pirates advanced with a 4-3 victory on penalties.

The Buccaneers also played RS Berkane in the final of the 2022 CAF Confederation Cup. That match finished 1-1 after extra time, with the Moroccan side eventually winning 5-4 in a penalty shoot-out.

Pirates will therefore begin the new campaign against two opponents with whom they have recent history, while Colombe Sportive will provide an unfamiliar test.

Durban City, meanwhile, have been placed in a challenging Group C in the CAF Confederation Cup for their first appearance in continental competition.

They will face Moroccan club AS FAR, Tanzania’s Azam FC and Al Ahli Tripoli of Libya. The draw gives the South African newcomers a demanding introduction to African football, with every opponent coming from a country with a strong competitive tradition in the region.

The travel involved will also test Durban City, particularly on trips to North and East Africa. South African clubs can face difficult conditions away from home, including a hostile atmosphere both on and off the pitch, making the assignment a substantial one for a team experiencing continental football for the first time.

Both South African representatives will need strong starts if they are to progress from their groups. Pirates will be aiming to avoid the risk posed by three experienced opponents, while Durban City face the task of adapting quickly to the demands of their debut campaign.