The Buccaneers suffered a shock exit from the continental competition at this stage last term against Congo side FC Saint-Eloi Lupopo.

In this season's competition, they made it through the first round with a convincing 3-1 home win after being held a 0-0 draw on the road, as Stars saw off Gabon's AS Mangasport on away goals after a 3-3 aggregate draw.

Bucs head to Botswana for Saturday's clash, due to the unavailability of a suitable venue in Namibia, in good form in the Betway Premiership, most recently sinking TS Galaxy 3-0, but on the back a demoralising defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8 final.

Stars, meanwhile, are yet to start their new season after winning the title last term by one point ahead of Eeshoke Chula Chula.

Speaking ahead of the game, Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou underlined the importance of making it through to the group stages.

"It's important this year to get in the group stages. Last season, unfortunately, we were knocked out by Lupopo, and it's a big target this season.

"So, we took a lesson from last season. It will be important to come back with a very good result at home in order to get an opportunity to qualify for the second game," Ouaddou said on Soccer Laduma.

"It's difficult, you know, because they didn't start the league, but at least we'll be able to have some footage, and we already started to study the team."

Stars boss Gerald Guther told the Namibian: "Our objective is to compete for a victory in Gaborone and put ourselves in the strongest possible position ahead of the return match in Johannesburg.

"We know the challenge that awaits us away from home, so we will approach Saturday’s match with ambition, discipline and a clear determination to get a positive result.

"Orlando Pirates have already played 14 competitive matches this season, so they have considerable match rhythm and while losing a final is undoubtedly disappointing, a team of their quality will be mentally prepared to respond.

"We cannot base our approach on their previous result. Our focus is on ourselves, our preparation and how we can compete effectively."

The second leg of the second round takes place at the Orlando Stadium on Friday, 23 October.

Betway Premiership: Six lower table teams eye first wins of 2026/27 season