The hosts head into the encounter in indifferent form, having lost two and won two of their last five games across all competitions, but carry a 1-0 lead and away goal into the tie, given them the advantage.
The side that coach Benni McCarthy fielded in the first leg was vastly different to his starting XI that lost to Kaizer Chiefs on the weekend. But even so, City’s lack of finishing up front remains a concern; the club have not scored more than one goal in a match since December’s 4-2 loss to Maritzburg United 11 games ago.
City have slipped to sixth in the Absa Premiership, with their title chase all but over, and have a fifth encounter against Bidvest Wits this weekend to prepare for as they try to match, or even better, their third-place league finish last season.
Orlando Pirates await in the next round of the Nedbank Cup, meaning giving the CAF Confederation Cup a full go at their first attempt could be the thinking, giving the City squad a taste of what it’s like to compete on the continent.
Young Buffaloes, meanwhile, have also been inconsistent since their season resumed late in January, winning two and losing two of their last four games in all competitions.
The one-time Swazi Premier League winners currently sit second in the league after 21 games played, four points behind leaders Mbabane Swallows and seven points ahead of third-placed Green Mamba, who they beat 2-0 in their last clash on Thursday.
The 2017 Swazi Cup winners, who finished second in the league last season, have once before featured in CAF competition but were knocked out of the 2011 Champions League in the first round following their league triumph the year before, and will be hoping to go at least one better in the CAF Confederation Cup this year.
Ahead of the second leg in Cape Town this evening, Young Buffaloes will take courage from their solid away form – they have not lost in their last 11 away games in all competitions, winning eight and drawing three, having scored in each game – something they will need to do tonight in order to keep their CAF dreams alive.
Kick-off at Athlone Stadium is set for 19h30.