Soweto Giants Orlando Pirates will collide with Zambia’s Green Eagles FC on Saturday 10 August, 2019 at the Nkoloma Stadium, Lusaka in the Preliminary Round first leg of the 2019/20 Total CAF Champions League.
Pirates come in the tie on the back of a 3-1 win over Bloemfontein Celtic in the ABSA premiership.
The Buccaneers named a strong 28-man squad for the CAF assignment with midfielder Linda Mntambo left on the sidelines.
Coach Micho Sredojevic has included new signings Austin Muwowo, Siphesihle Ndlovu and Fortune Makaringe, which has meant no place for Mntambo, while defenders Justice Chabalala and Brian Hlongwa, and young striker Thabiso Monyane are also missing.
The Buccaneer’s exited in the group stages of the Champions League last season and they are back after finishing second to league winners Mamelodi Sundowns.
Green Eagles coach Aggrey Chiyangi has made six new additions to the squad as they prepare for a second stint in Continental football. They have brought in on permanent basis, Andrew Kwiliko a defender from Nakambala Leopards, Bonson Muchindu another defender from Nkana, Benson Nzuma also a defender from Nchanga Rangers, midfielder Gozon Mutale from Power Dynamos, Hosea Silwimba a Midfielder from Lumwana Radiants and Mangani Phiri, a striker from Napsa Stars.
Lazarous Phiri, Muma Mumba, Muna Mwaba, Joseph Mwindilila and Ray Mutale were excluded from the CAF list.
Tonka Tweende were eliminated by Na Hussein Dey in the second round of last season’s CAF Confederation Cup. They managed to qualify for the CAF Champions League after finishing top of stream B in the 2019 transitional season.
Eagles missed out on the title to Zesco United in a penalty shootout loss during the playoffs.
The return leg of the tie will be on August 23 and whoever advance to the next stage they are likely to face the winners between Angolan side Primeiro de Agosto and KMKM from Zanzibar in the preliminary stage.
Orlando Pirates squad
Goalkeepers: Joris Delle, Siyabonga Mpontshane, Wayne Sandilands.
Defenders: Asavela Mbekile, Happy Jele, Ntsikelelo Nyauza, Bongani Sam, Innocent Maela, Alfred Ndengane, Mthokozisi Dube, Paseka Mako.
Midfielders: Thembinkosi Lorch, Ben Motshwari, Siphesihle Ndlovu, Vincent Pule, Luvuyo Memela, Abel Mabaso, Musa Nyatama, Fortune Makaringe, Kabelo Dlamini, Xola Mlambo, Tebogo Tlolane.
Forwards: Gabadinho Mhango, Justin Shonga, Tshegofatso Mabasa, Augustine Mulenga, Zakhele Lepasa, Austin Muwowo.
Green Eagles squad
Goalkeepers: Robert Mwanza, Kenneth Mwaanga, Justin Munyikwa, Sebastian Mwange
Defenders: Bornface Sunzu, Samson Manyepa, Benson Nzuma, Gift Wamundila, Michael Mwenya, Andrew Kwiliko, Warren Kunda, Boston Muchindu
Midfielders: Ceasor Hakaluba, George Chaloba, Samson Chilupe, Jonathan Manongo, Spencer Sautu, Amity Shamende, Christopher Chola, Gozon Mutale, Mukabanga Susu Siabombe, Hosea Silwimba
Strikers: Tapson Kaseba, Ronald Chibwe, Shadreck Mulungwe, Kennedy Musonda, Edward Mwamba, Mangani Phiri