The Soweto giants will be dining with the big boys in the continent after finishing second in the domestic league.
Orlando Pirates will be returning to the Caf Champions League competition for the second time in as many seasons.
On Sunday, they will be playing Madagascan champions Disciples in Mauritius in the first leg of the first preliminary round. In the 2023/24 campaign, the Sea Robbers were eliminated in the second preliminary round by Jwaneng Galaxy of Botswana.
The Soweto giants worked harder in the Premier Soccer League, eventually finishing behind champions Mamelodi Sundowns to get their ticket.
Chaine wants more after another Caf Champions League chance
The 2019/20 campaign was the last time Bucs reached the group stage of the annual competition. The custodian argues Pirates should be regulars in the continental assignments.
“Definitely, I think as a club like Orlando Pirates, to represent a big brand like this on the African continent; where we play among the best on the continent, it should be a norm and something we always strive to do every season,” he said ahead of the game.
“I think every season we set out to reach our highest potential, and whether we reach them or not, the most important thing is to put high targets for yourself to compete on all fronts.
“Whether you're playing in the Champions League, [PSL] league, or cup competitions, ours is to work as hard as possible to reach our full potential as Orlando Pirates and, and strive on all fronts, in every competition that we compete in.”
How much will Pirates get in the Caf Champions League?
“In line with the Caf President Dr Patrice Motsepe’s promise to improve club competitions and provide more financial assistance to clubs, the [teams] participating in the Preliminary Stages of the Caf Champions League and Caf Confederation Cup will receive USD 50000 (R900,0000) each,” the organizers confirmed on their website.
The Caf Champions League winner will bag R72 million with the finalist getting half the amount. The semi-finalists will be rewarded R21 million while the quarter-finalists will go home with R16 million. The remaining two teams in the group will each receive R13 million.
The Caf Confederation Cup champions will be rewarded R36 million while the runner-up will get half that amount. Semi-finalists will be guaranteed R13 million with quarter-finalists receiving R10 million. The two bottom teams in the group will get R7 million each.
