A number of teams from the COSAFA region will be involved in African club competition this weekend as the group stages of the Champions League and the final play-off round of the Confederation Cup take centre-stage.

South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns begin their Group A campaign in the elite competition with a tricky away tie at Nigeria’s Lobi Stars on Friday, a match where they will want to get at least a point to start their pool play on a positive note.

Compatriots Orlando Pirates travel to COSAFA rivals FC Platinum from Zimbabwe in what will be a fascinating tussle as the former return to the competition for the first time since they made the final in 2013. That game is played on Saturday.

There are six more Southern African sides hoping to book a place in the group stages of the Confederation Cup this weekend as well.

The pick of the ties is arguably the meeting between Zambia’s Zesco United and Kaizer Chiefs from South Africa in Ndola as those two giants battle it out in the first leg on Sunday.

Another Zambian outfit, Nkana FC, are also at home as they host FC San Pedro from Ivory Coast in Kitwe on Saturday.

Namibian side African Stars host defending champions Raja Casablanca in the first leg of their tie in Windhoek on Saturday, while at the same time Angolan outfit Petro Atletico are away at Stade Malien in their first leg.

The final match involving a COSAFA club sees Lesotho side Bantu FC host Enugu Rangers from Nigeria on Sunday, where they will be hopeful of picking up a solid first leg advantage.