SCOTTLAND FC coach Norman Mapeza is anticipating a difficult encounter when his side face Angolan giants Petro de Luanda in the CAF Champions League second preliminary round at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday.

The Zimbabwean champions go into the match hoping to secure a positive result at home before travelling to Angola for the second leg on Friday.

Mabvirawira is marking its debut season in the CAF Champions League after winning the 2025 Premier Soccer League season.

The Mabvuku-based side started with a 1-0 aggregate win over Nsingizini Hotspurs of Eswatini last month and a triumph over Petro de Luanda will see them booking a place in the CAF Champions League group stages.

Mapeza is aware of the quality and experience Petro de Luanda possess on the continental stage and expects his charges to be tested throughout the match.

“It’s going to be a difficult match but look we have to play this game.

“They have experience at CAF but that does not guarantee them victory.

“We have to work hard and grab a positive result at home and look on how we can win our away game again,” he said.

Scottland FC is hoping to be the first team, since FC Platinum in 2020, to reach the CAF Champions’ League group stages.

Petro De Luanda boast of CAF Champions League experience, having gone all the way to the final in 1997.