Confederation Cup Draw: DRC's DC Virunga to Face Bazar Brothers, Maniema Union Enters in Second Round

The Confederation Cup preliminary round draw has determined the path for the Democratic Republic of Congo's two representatives in the continental competition. DC Virunga will make their CAF interclub debut against Bazar Brothers from Seychelles, with the first leg scheduled between September 4-6 and the return leg from September 11-13.

If DC Virunga advances, they will face the winner of the match between Green Mamba of Eswatini and Primeiro de Agosto of Angola in the second round. These matches are slated for October 16-18 for the first leg and October 23-25 for the return leg.

Meanwhile, AS Maniema Union has been granted an exemption from the first preliminary round. As one of the eight highest-ranked clubs on the continent, they directly enter the second round. There, the "Kambembele Boys" will compete against the winner of the tie between Kabuscorp SC of Angola and UNAM FC of Namibia, with those matches also scheduled for October.

This 23rd edition of the Confederation Cup features 56 African clubs. Eight teams, including Maniema Union, skip the first round, while the remaining 48 clubs compete in two-legged ties. The winners will join the exempted teams to form the 32-club field for the second round. The CAF has announced that the competition winner will receive a $4 million prize, with eliminated clubs in the preliminary rounds receiving a $100,000 solidarity payment.