Jwaneng Galaxy: Wanderers’ CAF Confederation Cup Opponent

Malawi’s Mighty Wanderers Football Club is set to face a significant challenge in the first preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup against Botswana’s giants, Jwaneng Galaxy. The Nomads, who are returning to continental competition for the first time since 2018, have set their sights on reaching the group stages, but they must first overcome this storied opponent.

The draw for the tournament was conducted in Tanzania by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), pitting the Nomads against a team with recent experience and success in continental competitions. Should Wanderers advance, they would face the winner between Gabon’s FC 105 and Zambia’s Zesco United.

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Who are Jwaneng Galaxy, Africa’s giants slayers?

Founded in 2015 through the merger of two local clubs—the Jwaneng Comets and the Debswana Youngsters—Jwaneng Galaxy quickly rose to prominence. They were promoted to the Botswana Premier League in their inaugural year and secured their first major silverware, the Mascom Top 8 Cup, in the 2016-17 season under Zambian coach Mike Sithole.

The club’s rapid growth has been marked by a strong presence in CAF tournaments, with four appearances since 2018.

Galaxy’s continental journey is a tale of ambition and defiance, a story of a relatively young club that refused to be intimidated by Africa’s football giants.

Their first foray into the CAF Confederation Cup in 2018 was a humbling experience. They were beaten by Mozambique’s Costa do Sol, exiting the tournament with a 2-0 aggregate loss. It was a lesson in the harsh realities of African football.

But they learned quickly. The 2021-22 CAF Champions League saw them return with a newfound tenacity. After navigating past Diplomates Football Club, they faced a daunting task against Tanzanian powerhouse Simba Sporting Club.

A 2-0 defeat at home left their hopes hanging by a thread. Yet, in a shocking turn of events, they traveled to Tanzania and pulled off a stunning 3-1 victory, progressing on the away goals rule and silencing the home crowd. They had made a statement.

Their reward was a place in the group stages, where they were pitted against titans like ES Tunis and CR Belouizdad. While they ultimately finished at the bottom of the group, they had proved they belonged.

In group stages, Jwaneng were roasted 7-0 on aggregate by ES Tunis of Tunisia after losing 3-0 at home and 4-0 away. They then played against CR Belouizdad who hammered them 6-2 on aggregate after losing 2-1 at home before losing 4-1 away.

They capped off their group stage matches with another Tunisian side, Ètoile du Sahel who beat them 4-3, playing a 1-all draw at home before losing 3-2 away and they finished 4th in their group.

Their most audacious campaign came in the 2023-24 CAF Champions League. After overcoming Uganda’s Vipers SC, they faced a familiar foe in South Africa’s Orlando Pirates. Few gave them a chance, but Galaxy delivered a masterclass, eliminating the Pirates and securing their second consecutive group stage appearance.

Their group stage journey began with a bang, a historic 2-1 win over Wydad in Morocco, a performance that sent shockwaves across the continent. While the rest of their campaign was challenging, with defeats to Simba SC and Asec Mimosa, their early heroics had already cemented their place in the tournament’s narrative.

Their most recent campaign was a story of revenge for Orlando Pirates, who eliminated them in the second preliminary round of the 2024-25 CAF Champions League, a reminder that the path to glory is never easy.

Jwaneng Galaxy’s journey is a testament to their fighting spirit, a club that has consistently defied expectations and shown that a team’s heart and determination can take them a long way on the African stage.