Maseko and Links discover UEFA Conference League opponents

Former Mamelodi Sundowns winger Thapelo Maseko and South African left-back Gift Links have discovered the teams they will face in the UEFA Conference League league phase this season.

Maseko’s new club, FC København, secured its place in the competition after a convincing 4-1 victory over Inter Turku on Thursday. The result completed a successful European start for the Denmark-based side and gave Maseko a winning debut on the continental stage.

The South African completed his move to the Danish giants two weeks ago, having previously played for Mamelodi Sundowns. His first European appearance for FC København came in the victory over Inter Turku, which ensured the club progressed into the league phase of the UEFA Conference League.

FC København were drawn against Portuguese club Braga, who were selected from pot one. Their other opponents will be Crvena Zvezda of Serbia, Swiss side Lugano, U. Craiova from Romania, Inter Escaldes of Albania and Iberia Tbilisi of Georgia.

The draw means Maseko will face a varied schedule against clubs from across Europe as FC København begin their campaign in the competition’s league phase. Braga represent the highest-ranked opponent listed in the club’s group of fixtures, while the remaining matches will take the Danish side to opposition from Serbia, Switzerland, Romania, Albania and Georgia.

Links will also compete in the UEFA Conference League after AGF’s Europa League campaign came to an end in the play-off round.

AGF were beaten 6-2 on aggregate by Portuguese giants Benfica. That defeat resulted in the Danish club dropping into the Conference League, where they were handed a league-phase schedule that includes a meeting with Braga.

Alongside the Portuguese side, AGF will play Gent of Belgium, Dutch club Twente, Brann from Norway, Inter Escaldes of Andorra and Egnatia of Albania.

The draw therefore gives both South African players a fixture against Braga, although they will otherwise face different opponents during the league phase. Maseko’s FC København and Links’ AGF will each have six matches to play in the competition.

The opening matchday of the UEFA Conference League league phase is scheduled for 15 October. The sixth and final matchday will take place on 17 December, completing the league-phase programme.

The final of this season’s competition is scheduled to be played in Istanbul on 2 June. For Maseko, the tournament represents an early opportunity to establish himself at FC København after his recent transfer, while Links will continue his European campaign with AGF following their elimination from the Europa League play-offs.