Orlando Pirates will begin their CAF Champions League group phase campaign against FC Platinum of Zimbabwe in Group B on Saturday afternoon in Bulawayo.

 

The match is scheduled to start at 15h30.

 

The Buccaneers return to the group stages of the competition for the first time since 2013, where they went all the way to thefinal but lost to Al Ahly.

 

Milutin Sredojevic’s charges got to this stage of the tournament after squeezing past African Stars of Namibia in the play-off round.

 

Pirates have a chance to go top of Group B in the early stages if they win in Bulawayo after Horoya and defending champions ES Tunis played to a 1-1 stalemate on Friday evening.

 

Meanwhile, Platinum are making their debut appearance in the group stages of the competition and will be looking to make the most of their time playing their first match at home.

 

Platinum Boys went through to the group phase on away goals’ rule after playing to a 1-1 stalemate on aggregate against AS Otôho of Congo.

 

Their game with Pirates was moved away from Zvishavane to Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo due to the former venue not meeting the requirements of this phase of the competition.