The Pretoria club has endured a torrid run since losing the final of last year’s edition of this tournament, winning just three and losing nine of the 20 matches played since being edged out by TP Mazembe in November.
Having exited the Nedbank Cup at the first hurdle, they have been sucked down to 13th in the Absa Premiership, just three points above the relegation play-off spot, with the pressure getting too much for Eric Tinkler, who resigned on Friday.
Another African campaign is seemingly the last distraction the club needs at this time, with Tinkler – prior to his resignation – last week claiming the league remains their priority, and that the club would field a number of youngsters and fringe players for this fixture.
Petro will therefore look to capitalise on their weakened opponents, and continue their progression in the tournament after dispatching Malawian club Masters Security 5-0 on aggregate in the previous round.
The Angolan side are enjoying a good run of form in recent matches, having gone six matches unbeaten in all competitions, and lie third in the Angolan top-flight after four games played.
They ended as runners up in the title race last year for a second season in succession, failing to add to the 15 league titles to their name since their inception in 1980.
The 11-time Angolan Cup winners – and current holders of the domestic cup – have made seven CAF Champions League appearances in their history, reaching the semi-finals in 2001, while making seven appearances in the CAF Confederation Cup as well, only reaching the group stages on two occasions (in 2004 and 2006).
This will be the second time these two clubs face off in the Confederation Cup following their first round qualifying encounter in 2013, where SuperSport earned a 0-0 draw away from home before wrapping up the tie at Lucas Moripe Stadium with a 2-0 victory thanks to a Sibusiso Zuma brace.
Kick-off at the 48 500-seater Estadio 11 de Novembro in Luanda is set for 15h00 (16h00 South African time).