South Africa’s four representatives in CAF competitions are set for action this weekend, with three of them taking to the field on Friday as the country’s ‘Big Three’ aim to secure places in the group stages of their respective tournaments.

Here are the key talking points ahead of the upcoming fixtures.

Kaizer Chiefs vs Red Arrows (Zambia)

CAF Confederation Cup, second round, second leg Friday, October 23, 18:00 South African time

Kaizer Chiefs face the toughest challenge of South Africa’s three Friday fixtures as they attempt to overturn a 1-0 deficit against a strong Red Arrows side following the first leg.

Another goal conceded would leave Chiefs needing to score three times to progress, a difficult task for a team that has struggled to find the net consistently.

The Soweto giants faced a similar situation last season against Angola’s Kabuscorp after losing the first leg 1-0. They responded with a 1-0 victory at home in the return fixture before advancing through a penalty shootout.

Chiefs would gladly accept the same outcome this time around, particularly after a disappointing first-leg performance and their historically challenging record against Zambian opposition.

The South African side have overturned a first-leg deficit in CAF club competitions just once in eight attempts, with Kabuscorp providing their only successful comeback.

However, Amakhosi can draw confidence from their strong home record in African club football. They have hosted 36 matches, recording 25 victories, six draws and five defeats. Two of those losses, though, have come against Zambian opposition, adding another layer of difficulty to Friday’s encounter.

Mamelodi Sundowns vs Wiliete (Angola)

CAF Champions League, second round, second leg Friday, October 23, 20:00 South African time

Mamelodi Sundowns were held to a goalless draw on a difficult pitch in Angola in the first leg, leaving them exposed to the away-goals rule in the return fixture. If Wiliete find the net, Sundowns will need to score twice to secure qualification.

However, the reigning CAF Champions League champions have considerable experience in navigating these situations. Playing at home, where they can impose their attacking style, Sundowns will be confident of securing the result they need.

Their record in African competition on home soil is impressive. Sundowns have played 109 matches across all CAF tournaments, recording 78 victories, 26 draws and just five defeats. In 91 Champions League matches at home, they have scored 183 goals while conceding only 47.

Three of their home defeats in the Champions League came against Espérance de Tunis, who won 2-1 in 2017 and 1-0 in 2024, and Algeria’s CR Belouizdad, who secured a 2-0 victory in 2021.

Sundowns have since put together a run of 14 consecutive Champions League home matches without defeat, winning nine and drawing five since their loss to Espérance in April 2024.

Their record against Angolan opposition at home is equally encouraging, with three wins and two draws and no defeats.

Wiliete are likely to adopt a cautious approach, hoping to keep the score at 0-0 and force a penalty shootout. However, containing Sundowns for the full 90 minutes could prove a demanding task.

The South African champions may have to cope without midfielder Teboho Mokoena, who is reportedly struggling with an injury. Goalkeeper Ronwen Williams could also miss the encounter, potentially creating further challenges for the hosts.

Orlando Pirates vs African Stars (Namibia)

CAF Champions League, second round, second leg Friday, October 23, 20:00 South African time

Orlando Pirates will enter their second-leg clash as favourites after claiming a 1-0 victory in the opening encounter, which took place at a neutral venue in Botswana. The Buccaneers will be confident their attacking quality can help them complete the job against their Namibian opponents.

Head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou will be focused on securing qualification, but the match could also provide an opportunity to rotate his squad. With Carling Knockout Cup action scheduled for midweek and the highly anticipated Soweto Derby coming up next weekend, managing player workloads will be an important consideration.

Despite their advantage, Pirates must avoid underestimating their opponents. The Soweto giants have suffered unexpected setbacks against less-fancied teams in previous CAF campaigns.

During the 2025/26 season, they were eliminated by St Eloi Lupopo on penalties at this stage of the competition. They also experienced disappointment against Jwaneng Galaxy in an earlier campaign, highlighting the dangers of taking opponents lightly in African club football.

Nevertheless, Pirates will be determined to avoid another surprise exit. With a one-goal advantage and considerable quality within their squad, the Buccaneers will expect to secure their place in the next round and continue their pursuit of continental success.

AS Port Louis vs Durban City: CAF Confederation Cup, Second Leg

Sunday, October 25, 15:00 South African time

Durban City have made a promising start to their debut campaign in African club football, taking a significant step towards qualification with a 3-1 victory over Mauritian outfit AS Port Louis in the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup tie.

However, the South African side could have taken a more commanding lead after missing several scoring opportunities before conceding a preventable goal. That strike could yet prove costly when the teams meet again.

Despite the missed chances, Durban City will travel to Mauritius confident of having enough quality to complete the job and progress to the next stage.

Head coach Eric Tinkler brings valuable experience of continental football and will be expected to prepare his side effectively for the challenge. His tactical expertise could prove crucial as Durban City look to protect their advantage and secure qualification.

Reaching the CAF Confederation Cup group stages would represent another major milestone in the club’s first continental campaign.

However, progressing further in the competition would also increase the demands on the squad, potentially putting additional pressure on their domestic campaign as they balance commitments across multiple tournaments.