Orlando Pirates return to Orlando Stadium this Friday for the all-important second leg of their First Preliminary Round tie of the CAF Champions League against Madagascar’s Disciples.

The fixture in Soweto is a must-win as the tie hangs in the balance after the opening leg played at Côte d’Or National Sports Complex in Mauritius ended all square.

It was the first competitive outing of the season for the reigning Malagasy champions, who had won their two most recent competitive fixtures en route to claiming the 2023/24 league title.

Disciples’ last defeat came in mid-June against top flight rivals Zanak’ala, whom they defeated comfortably in the home leg of the Pro League play-offs to claim a 5-3 aggregate victory.

Having tasted success domestically, they will be eyeing an upset on the continental stage with a place in the last preliminary round up for grabs.

The visitors however face a formidable challenge against the 1995 African champions, who return to the site of their only home game so far this season where they overcame SuperSport United to book a spot in the MTN8 semi-finals earlier in the month.

Pirates will be looking to keep yet another cup run alive by seeing off Disciples, with the hopes of lining up against one of African Stars and Jwaneng Galaxy for a spot in the group stage.