Orlando Pirates were drawn with Simba SC, Renaissance Berkane and Colombe Sportive in the CAF Champions League group stage draw conducted on Wednesday. The draw set their three opponents for the group phase.
Group opponents confirmed
Orlando Pirates will face Simba SC, Renaissance Berkane and Colombe Sportive. Colombe Sportive will be facing South African opposition for the first time.
Berkane history against South African sides
Renaissance Berkane beat Orlando Pirates on penalties in the CAF Confederation Cup final in 2021/22. They are unbeaten against South African opposition, with three wins and two draws in five previous clashes, scoring 11 goals and conceding two.
In the Confederation Cup group stage in 2023/24, Renaissance Berkane beat Sekhukhune United 2-0 at home and drew 0-0 away. The following year, they beat Stellenbosch 3-1 away and 5-0 at home.
Simba history against South African clubs
Orlando Pirates beat Simba on penalties in the quarter-finals of the Confederation Cup four years ago. Simba have also previously played Santos, Kaizer Chiefs and Stellenbosch.
Simba are unbeaten at home against South African sides, with three wins and one draw in four matches, and they did not concede a goal in any of those home games. Simba are winless in South Africa and have never scored a goal there.
In the Champions League in 2003, Simba drew both legs 0-0 with Santos and then won 9-8 on penalties. Against Kaizer Chiefs in 2020/21, Simba lost 4-0 in South Africa, won 3-0 at home and were eliminated 4-3 on aggregate. In their 2021/22 quarter-final against Orlando Pirates, the sides traded 1-0 home victories before Simba lost on penalties. In the Confederation Cup semi-finals in 2024/25, Simba beat Stellenbosch 1-0 at home and then drew 0-0 away.
Simba coaching change
South African coach Barker left Stellenbosch to take charge of Simba in December 2025.