Orlando Pirates and Durban City were handed tough Group C tests in the Caf Champions Legue and Caf Confederation Cup on Wednesday.

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South African representatives in CAF competitions Orlando Pirates and Durban City were handed tough Group C assignments in their respective campaigns in the group stage draw that took place in Egypt on Wednesday.

In the CAF Champions League, Pirates find themselves in a tricky pool alongside Moroccan giants RS Berkane, South African coach Steve Barkers's Simba SC of Tanzania, and Cameroonian outfit Colombe Sportive. The Buccaneers know these continental waters well, but this draw has danger written all over it.

Berkane are seasoned campaigners who know how to grind out results, while heading to Dar es Salaam to face Simba in front of a packed Benjamin Mkapa Stadium is never a walk in the park.

Throw in an unpredictable Colombe Sportive side, and the Sea Robbers will need to be sharp from day one to reach the knockout rounds.Pirates will be meeting the Cameroonians for the first time, but they share plenty of recent history with the other two.

They crossed paths with Simba twice back in 2022, where each side picked up a 1-0 home win before Pirates scraped through 4-3 on penalties. In that very same 2022 Confederation Cup run, Bucs went all the way to the final against Berkane, only to suffer heartbreak with a 5-4 shootout defeat after the match ended 1-1.

Meanwhile, Durban City have landed a real baptism of fire in Group C of the CAF Confederation Cup. The coastal boys have been pitted against Moroccan powerhouses AS FAR, Tanzania’s Azam FC, and Libyan side Al Ahli Tripoli.

It is a massive ask for Durban City, especially with this being their first-ever dance on the continent. Travelling to hostile territory in North and East Africa is easily one of the hardest tasks in the game, particularly for South African teams who often face a rough reception both on and off the pitch.