The Buccaneers are eager to avoid an upset against tournament debutants at the Nkoloma Stadium in Zambia
Green Eagles are set to take on Orlando Pirates in the 2019/20 Caf Champions League preliminary round first-leg match on Saturday.
Nicknamed Tonka Twende, Eagles are looking to mark their debut appearance in the tournament with a victory.
Tonka Twende qualified for the competition for the first time in their history after finishing second in the 2019 Zambian Super League standings.
Meanwhile, Pirates are back in the Champions League after failing to reach the knockout phase last season.
The Buccaneers finished second behind Mamelodi Sundowns in the 2018/19 PSL standings and qualified for this season’s continental tournament.
The 1995 Champions League winners are keen to go all the way and clinch their second title in the new campaign.
| Game | Green Eagles v Orlando Pirates |
| Date | Saturday, August 10 |
| Time | 15h00 CAT |
TV Channel, Live Stream & How To Watch
In South Africa, the game will not be televised live.
| SA TV channel | Online stream |
|---|---|
| N/A | N/A |
Squads & Team News
Eagles coach Aggrey Chiyangi will have to find a way to mastermind a victory over Pirates without Ceasor Hakaloba and Boniface Sunzu.
Team captain Hakaloba and defender Sunzu are both injured and they are expected to miss Eagles’ first-ever Champions League game.
However, Chiyangi will pin the team’s hopes on Zambia international Tapson Kaseba, who is Eagles’ key forward.
On the other hand, Pirates coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic is set to unleash reigning PSL Footballer of the Year Thembinkosi Lorch in Lusaka.
The versatile attacker was rested during the team’s win over Bloemfontein Celtic in a PSL encounter last weekend.
Bucs’ attack is most likely to be led by Zambian forward Justin Shonga, who was arguably Pirates’ best player in last season’s Champions League.
Match Preview
Eagles remain undefeated at home in continental tournaments having recorded a draw and a win in their debut campaign in the Caf Confederation Cup last season.
They used the 2019 Cecafa Kagame Cup to prepare for the Champions League and they finished third having been invited to the east-central Africa tournament.
Meanwhile, Pirates are winless in their last three away matches on the continent having registered two defeats and one draw which saw them bow out of last season’s Champions League in the group stage.
The Buccaneers have played one competitive match this season as they overcame Celtic 3-1 at home as part of their preparations for their clash with Eagles.
This will be the first-ever meeting between Eagles and Pirates.
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