This weekend marks the start of the 2017 CAF club competitions, with a number of COSAFA sides competing in both the Champions League and Confederation Cup.

Champions League holders Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa have a bye through the first round of that competition, but compatriots BidVest Wits are away at Reunion side Saint-Louisienne.

Zimbabwe champions CAPS United start their campaign at Lesotho’s Lioli in another all-COSAFA affair.

Zambian champions Zanaco face a tricky two-legged tie against top Rwandan club APR, and Angolan league winners Primeiro de Agosto travel to Uganda to face KCCA in the first leg of their match-up.

Côte d’Or from the Seychelles will host Saint George of Ethiopia in their first leg, while Mauritian side AS Port-Louis 2000 are at Tusker from Kenya.

CNaPS Sport of Madagascar host Botswana champions Township Rollers in what could be one of the ties of the first round, while Swaziland’s Royal Leopards entertain DR Congo giants AS Vita Club.

Mozambique league winners Ferroviário Beira travel to Zanzibar to meet Zimamoto and Ngaya Club from the Comoros host Tanzanian side Young Africans.

The Confederation Cup also contains an array of teams from across the COSAFA region.

South African sides SuperSport United and Platinum Stars face-off against ASSM Elgeco Plus (Madagascar) and União Desportiva do Songo (Mozambique) respectively in two difficult ties.

Zimbabwe’s Ngezi Platinum are at Mauritian side Pamplemousses, while St Michel United from the Seychelles travel to Al-Hilal Al-Ubayyid.

There is an all-COSAFA tie between Orapa United of Botswana and Swaziland side Mbabane Swallows, while Volcan Club from the Comoros travel to Uganda to face Vipers.