Orlando Pirates are set for a gruelling return to CAF Champions League action following the group stage draw held on Wednesday afternoon.

After two rounds of the preliminary stages of the competition, the Buccaneers booked their spot into the final 16. They are South Africa’s last remaining participant after going past Mauritius’ La Cure Waves and African Stars of Namibia in the qualifying rounds.

With at least six more fixtures guaranteed in the tournament, Pirates discovered their fate in the draw held in Cairo, where they were drawn in Group C alongside competition regulars Simba, as well as three-time CAF Confederation Cup winners RS Berkane and debutants Colombe Sportive.

This means that they are due trips to Tanzania and Morocco – reminiscent of their 2021/22 CAF Confederation Cup run where they finished as runners-up – while also kicking off a new rivalry against one of the competition’s debutants.

CAF Champions League Group C

Orlando Pirates (South Africa): The 1995 champions are back in the group stage after narrowly missing out in their previous attempt. They are set to renew acquaintances with two of the sides they faced in one of their more memorable runs in continental competitions, while also kicking off a new rivalry against newcomers in the prestigious competition.

Colombe Sportive (Cameroon): The West Africanoutfit faces a tough debut in the group stages having caused an upset over Mali’s Stade Malien in the last qualifying round. Sportive are set to face each of their Group C rivals for the first time, with it being their debut in Africa’s premier club competition.

Simba SC (Tanzania): The Tanzanian outfit is a regular in the group stage, especially in recent years where it has featured in four of its last five appearances. Their only previous encounter with the Buccaneers was the Confed Cup quarter-finals in the 2021/22 season, where the South African outfit prevailed on penalties following a 1-1 aggregate score over two legs.

RS Berkane (Morocco): The Moroccan outfit is another familiar foe for Pirates, who met them in the 2021/22 Confed Cup final. Les Oranges, as they’re popularly known, prevailed on penalties on that occasion, following extra-time goals from Youssef El Fahli and Thembinkosi Lorch, who sent the contest to a shootout in Uyo, Nigeria. Their triumph was the second of three wins in that competition, and they are now back for a crack at what has been an elusive Champions League title after making it to the semis in their last appearance.