A number of teams from the COSAFA region will be involved in the play-off round for the 2017 CAF Confederation Cup this weekend, with a place in the group stages up for grabs.

The extended format of the pool phase for this year, which has seen the number of groups jump from two to four, has opened the door for teams that have traditionally battled to get to that stage.

A total of eight Southern African club sides stand on the brink of qualification, with at least one certain of making it through.

That is because Madagascan side CNaPS Sport host Recreativo do Libolo in the first leg of their tie on Saturday, with one guaranteed a spot in the next round.

There is also a trio of South African sides competing at this stage, with all hopeful they can advance.

BidVest Wits host Egyptian side Smouha at home in the first leg on Saturday, while SuperSport United are at Liberian club Barrack Young Controllers on Sunday.

On the same day Platinum Stars travel to the ivory Coast to meet AS Tanda in what looks a tough tie.

Swaziland club Mbabane Swallows also have a difficult away day as they travel to top Congo-Brazzaville side AC Léopards, while Zambian champions ZESCO United are in Nigeria to face Enugu Rangers.

Perhaps the biggest challenge is faced by Mauritian club AS Port-Louis 2000, who host Tunisian giants Club Africain in the first leg of their tie on Saturday.