Orlando Pirates secured a narrow first-leg advantage in the CAF Champions League second preliminary round, while Mamelodi Sundowns were held to a goalless draw away from home as both South African sides look to book their places in the group stage.
Pirates defeated Namibian champions African Stars FC 1-0 at the Botswana National Stadium in Gaborone on Saturday, with Tshepang Moremi scoring the decisive goal in the 78th minute.
The Buccaneers will take that advantage into the return leg, knowing that a victory or a draw at home will be enough to secure their progression. African Stars, meanwhile, must find a way to score in Johannesburg if they are to keep their continental campaign alive.
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Mamelodi Sundowns, on the other hand, were unable to find a breakthrough against Angolan outfit Wiliete SC, playing out a 0-0 draw in the first leg on Sunday afternoon.
The result leaves the tie finely balanced ahead of the return fixture, with the Brazilians needing to make home advantage count as they continue their bid to defend the continental crown.
Sundowns enter the competition as reigning African champions after defeating Morocco’s AS FAR 2-1 on aggregate in the 2025/26 final. They will now look to deliver a stronger attacking performance in the second leg to avoid an early setback in their title defence.
Both South African clubs will return to action on Friday, 23 October, when the decisive second-leg fixtures take place at 20:00.
Pirates will host African Stars at Orlando Amstel Arena, while Sundowns welcome Wiliete SC to Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
With Pirates holding a one-goal advantage and Sundowns facing a level tie, both teams have an opportunity to progress to the group stage, but will need to deliver in front of their home supporters to keep their CAF Champions League ambitions on track.