Fireworks is expected this weekend when the Total CAF Confederation Cup group stage matches commence.
Holders TP Mazembe of DR Congo begin their title defence on Sunday when they host Gabon’s CF Mounana in Lubumbashi.
The former African champions will seek a bright start after failing to make the CAF Champions League group stage at the expense of Zimbabwe’s CAPs United and will also be eager to prove their might.
Zambian skipper Rainford Kalaba will be the key man for the hosts who are in Group D, which will also see SuperSport United of South Africa host Guinea’s Horoya on Friday.
The match at Lucas ‘Masterpiece’ Moripe stadium, Pretoria will be handled by Ugandan match officials, Denis Batte, Mark Ssonko and Ronald Katenya.
In Group A, Uganda’s representatives KCCA face a daunting task in the opening match away to FUS Rabat of Morocco.
The domestic champions, who retained their crown on Tuesday, will have to do the job minus four key players who were pivotal in reaching the stage thanks to partly injuries and suspensions.
Paul Mucureezi and Muzamiru Mutyaba are out injured whilst Benjamin Ochan and Denis Okot are suspended.
New signing Ibrahim Saddam Juma is expected to make his debut against a side that humiliated KCCA’s local rivals, SC Villa 7-0 in the previous campaign.
In the same group, Club Africain of Tunisia, former African champions host Nigeria’s Rivers United.
Elsewhere, CS Sfaxien of Tunisia host Mbabane Swallows of Swaziland, debutants in the competition group stage and in the same Group B, Platinum Stars of South Africa, conquerors of Vipers play host to MC Algers of Algeria.
In other matches, Zesco United of Zambia play host to Egypt’s Smouha on Saturday while on Sunday, Al Hilal Al Obeid, new home Ugandan striker Hamis ‘Diego’ Kiiza takes on Recreativo Libolo of Angola.
Group A
Saturday: FUS Rabat (Morocco) Vs KCCA (Uganda)
Sunday: Club Africain (Tunisia) Vs Rivers United (Nigeria)
Group B
Saturday: CS Sfaxien (Tunisia) Vs Mbabane Swallows (Swaziland)
Sunday: Platinum Stars (RSA) Vs Mouloudia Alger (Algeria)
Group C
Saturday: Zesco United (Zambia) Vs Smouha (Egypt)
Sunday: Recreativo Libolo (Angola) Vs Al Hilal Obeid (Sudan)
Group D
Friday: SuperSport United (RSA) Vs Horoya (Guinea)
Sunday: TP Mazembe (DR Congo) Vs CF Mounana (Gabon)