While there are undoubtedly some top names remaining in Africa’s secondary cup competition, Pirates should feel as though they are at least the equal to all, raising the potential to add to their 1995 Champions Cup triumph.
The Buccaneers booked their place in the second round of this year’s Confederation Cup with a 2-2 draw away at Uganda Revenue Authority on Saturday that sealed a 4-3 aggregate success and leaves them one step way from the group stages.
In the next round they face Gabonese side CF Mounana, who were formed as recently as 2006, and who squeezed into next stage with a 4-3 aggregate win over Zambian side Power Dynamos in the previous round.
After winning the home leg 4-0, Mounana were forced to hold on as they lost 3-0 in Zambia which perhaps shows their fallibility away from home.
Two top Tunisian clubs advanced to the second round as Etoile de Sahel claimed a 1-1 draw in Angola against Benfica de Luanda at the weekend to set up a meeting with Tanzanian side Young Africans in the next round.
Club African received a walkover win over Nigerian side Dolphins, who could not honour their tie due to financial constraints. The Tunisians have a tough tie in the next phase though as they clash with Algerian outfit ASO Chlef in a match-up that has the potential to be the pick of the second round ties.
Swaziland side Royal Leopards showed their victory over Bidvest Wits in the last round was no fluke as they claimed an excellent 3-2 aggregate success against Angolan side Petro de Luanda to set up a meting with DR Congo side AS Vita club in the next stage.
Egyptian giants Zamalek eased into the next stage with a t-1 aggregate win over Rwandan side Rayon Sports and must now face-up to FUS Rabat from Morocco in another tantalising north African match-up.
Onze Créateurs (Mali) vs ASEC Mimosas (Ivory Coast)
Djoliba (Mali) vs Hearts of Oak (Ghana)
ASO Chlef (Algeria) vs Club Africain (Tunisia)
Warri Wolves (Nigeria) vs MK Etanchéité (DR Congo)
Zamalek (Egypt) vs FUS Rabat (Morocco)
CF Mounana (Gabon) vs Orlando Pirates (South Africa)
Young Africans (Tanzania) vs Étoile du Sahel (Tunisia)
Royal Leopards (Swaziland) vs AS Vita Club (DR Congo)