Orlando Pirates
Orlando Pirates' hopes of reaching the CAF Champions League group stage were dealt a severe blow following a 3–0 loss to Saint Eloi Lupopo in Lubumbashi, leaving the return leg at Orlando Stadium a daunting challenge.
Orlando Pirates endured a harsh setback in their quest for the CAF Champions League group stage after a 3–0 defeat to Saint Eloi Lupopo in the first leg of the second preliminary round in Lubumbashi on Sunday.
The Buccaneers, last season’s semifinalists, now face a significant challenge to overturn the deficit in the return leg scheduled at Orlando Stadium on Saturday at 3pm.
Lupopo set the tone early with Wanet Kashala scoring in the third minute, quickly putting Pirates on the back foot. The Congolese side extended their advantage with Dramane Kambou’s strike in the 70th minute before Jean Benoit Tukumbane sealed the emphatic 3–0 win in the 88th minute.
The match took place at Stade TP Mazembe, one of the continent’s most intimidating venues for visiting teams, known for its passionate supporters and formidable atmosphere. Pirates were the second Soweto team to play at the stadium in consecutive days, following Kaizer Chiefs, who played a 0–0 draw against AS Simba on Saturday in their CAF Confederation Cup clash.
Orlando Pirates’ coach, Abdeslam Ouaddou, now faces the task of motivating his squad to stage a comeback in front of home fans. The Buccaneers’ performance will need to be disciplined and tactically sharp if they are to overturn a three-goal deficit and keep their continental campaign alive.
Fans and analysts alike are eagerly anticipating the second leg, with the outcome likely to define Pirates’ trajectory in the prestigious tournament and their ambitions on the African stage.
