FCB Nyasa Big Bullets will face Dragon FC from Equatorial Guinea in the first preliminary round of the 2023 Caf Champions League.
The draw took place at Caf Headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, Tuesday.
The winner between Bullets and Dragon will face Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) giants TP Mazembe in the second preliminary round.
According to the draw, Bullets will start away in Bata before hosting Dragon.
The first leg matches will be played between August 18 and 20, with the second leg scheduled for August 25-27.
The 2nd preliminary round will be played between September 15 and October 1.
On paper, this could be a fair draw to Bullets as they will be hoping to reach the second preliminary round for the first time since 2015, when they beat Fomboni FC of Comoros 3-2 on aggregate.
In reaction to the draw, Bullets Chief Executive Officer Albert Chigoga said his troops need to prepare well for the continental showpiece.
“The Caf competition has no fair draw. What we know is that Dragon have experience in Caf competitions; so, it will be two teams with Caf experience meeting,” Chigoga said.
Bullets are expected to register a squad of 30 players for this Caf Champions League.
The team comprises three foreign country-based players namely Clyde Senaji, Collins Okumu (both from Kenya) and Nigerian Chinedu Okafor.
Former Flames defender Moses Chavula described it as a tricky draw.
“I know little about the team but Bullets should exercise caution. If Bullets prepare well, they can go through,” he said.
In 2015, Bullets were eliminated from the 2nd preliminary round when they lost 6-1 on aggregate to Sudanese giants Al Hilal.
But in 2018, they lost 4-3 on post-match penalties to Gor Mahia after a 1-1 stalemate on aggregate.
The following year, they lost 3-2 on aggregate to FC Platinum from Zimbabwe before a similar result in 2021 against DStv Premiership side Amazulu.
Last year, they were humbled after a 4-0 loss on aggregate to Simba SC.
For Dragon, this will be the third time to participate in the continental showpiece, having lost 8-3 to Cara in the 1983 Champions Cup before suffering another 6-0 loss on aggregate to Coton Sport in 1997.
The club, based in Bata, Equatorial Guinea, was established in 1967.
