Mukura Victory Sports has been drawn against South African side Free State Stars in the preliminary round of the 2018/2019 CAF Confederation Cup. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) released the draw results for 2018-19 continental competitions – Champions League and Confederation Cup – on Friday. The black and yellow outfit will play the first-leg away to Free State Stars at Goble Park in Bethlehem on November 27-28 before hosting the return-leg encounter at Huye Stadium a week later. This will be the first time that the two sides meet in any competition. Free State have former Rayon Sports’ Belgian tactician, Luc Eymael, as their head coach and Rwanda international Olivier Kwizera is the club’s first choice goalkeeper. Mukura qualified for Africa’s second biggest club competition in August after winning this year’s Peace Cup – their first major title in 28 years. Francis Haringingo’s side have not featured in continental competitions since 2001 when they were eliminated in CAF Cup Winners’ Cup (now-defunct) in the preliminary round. They had competed in CAF Confederation Cup the previous year. APR pitted against Club Africain Champions APR will have to go past Tunisian giants Club Africain if they are to survive an early exit from the CAF Champions League this season. The military side will host the first-leg on November 27-28 before traveling to Tunisia, a week later, for the deciding tie at the 60,000-seater Stade Olympique de Radès. Founded in 1920 in Tunis, Club Africain are 13-time Tunisian champions and first runners-up of the 2011 CAF Confederation Cup as well as winners of the 1991 African Cup of Champions Clubs. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
