Leading the charge will be the Orange FA Cup champions, Gaborone United (GU), who are set to clash with SuperSport United in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup's second round on Saturday.
Reigning league champions, Jwaneng Galaxy, will on Sunday lock horns with Orlando Pirates in the first leg of the CAF Champions League's second round. This will be the second encounter between the local sides and their South African opponents in the CAF competitions. Both GU and Galaxy are determined to secure their first victories over SuperSport United and Pirates, respectively.
A coveted spot in the prestigious group stages awaits these teams, and they are poised to make a strong start on home turf. Notably, GU have never advanced to the group stages of the CAF Confederation Cup, while Galaxy are striving for their second appearance in the CAF Champions League group stages.
GU vs SuperSport
Team news The Reds confirmed this week that a trio of winter signings will be eligible for this weekend's fixture. Liberian attacking midfielder Sheikh Sesay, Thabang Khuduga, and Molaodi Tlhalefang are all in contention to make their GU debuts, with winger Ronel Manyanga also on track for a competitive debut on Saturday. GU will, however, be without the reliable centre-half Kennedy Amutenya, who will sit this one out due to a suspension.
The opponents SuperSport United, affectionately known as 'Mantsantsa a Pitori', have previously reached the CAF Confederation Cup final, though they were narrowly defeated 2-1 by TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2017. Their 2017 runners-up finish represents their best performance in the competition. In their second appearance in the 2017-2018 season, they were eliminated in the second round. SuperSport United have also participated in the CAF Champions League on four occasions and currently hold the fourth position in the DStv Premiership.
Previous encounters GU met SuperSport United once in the 2013-2014 season in the CAF Confederation Cup. GU were beaten 2-0 away and suffered a 1-0 loss at home. Head coach Morena Ramoreboli, who guided the lower-placed Maluti Fet College to a surprising victory in the 2013 Nedbank Cup, is eager to secure a second win over Pirates.
What you need to know Venue: National Stadium Ticket Prices: P60 (Grand Stand), P30 (Rest of the Stands) Venue Capacity: 22,500 Projected weather conditions: Sunny with temperatures reaching a maximum of 35º Celsius. There is a zero percent chance of rain, with humidity at nine percent, and winds blowing at 21km/h. Gates Open: Noon Kick-off: 7pm
Galaxy vs Pirates
Team news A new sponsorship agreement with Naledi Mining Services and fresh kits will serve as a morale booster for the Galaxy Stars. Red-hot forward, Thabang Sesinyi, who is amongst the competition's top scorers with two goals, is expected to lead the team's attack after being rested during the international break. Namibian forward Wendell Rudath is set to make a comeback from an injury that sidelined him during the preliminary round ties against Uganda's Vipers SC.
Previous Encounters
This marks the second meeting between the two sides in CAF competitions. Pirates ran out 4-0 winners on aggregate against Galaxy in the 2021 CAF Confederation Cup qualification round. Galaxy lost 1-0 away and 3-0 at home in a match played at the National Stadium. Galaxy were making their CAF inter-club competitions debut in 2021.
What you need to know Venue: National Stadium Ticket Prices: P50 (Grand Stand), P30 (Rest of the Stands) Venue Capacity: 22,500 Projected Weather Conditions: Partly sunny with temperatures reaching a maximum of 33º Celsius. There is a zero percent chance of rain, with humidity at 18%, and winds blowing at 16km/h. Gates Open: 10am Kick-off: 3pm Entertainment: Culture Spears, Ditiro Leero, DJ Bino, Da Qutness, DJ Madkin
