Orlando Pirates find themselves in murky waters once again – and this time, it’s deep. A 3-0 thumping by St. Eloi Lupopo at the Stade de la Victoire in Lubumbashi has left The Buccaneers staring down the barrel of early elimination from the CAF Champions League.
It’s not just a bad result – it’s a bitter reality check. Pirates now need a miracle: four unanswered goals at home to book a spot in the group stages. Doable? Maybe. Likely? Not really. But as football has proven countless times, it’s never over until the final whistle.
What makes this scenario even more intriguing is the pressure resting squarely on coach Ouaddou’s shoulders. The comparison to Jose Riveiro’s semifinal-chasing side from last season is unavoidable. This team hasn’t found its rhythm, and the fans are starting to feel restless. This next match isn’t just about overturning a deficit – it’s about restoring pride, belief, and the identity of a club that refuses to sink quietly.
Meanwhile, across Soweto, Kaizer Chiefs had their own continental battle in the CAF Confederation Cup, holding AS Simba to a goalless draw in the DRC.
The match went untelevised, but the result speaks volumes: Chiefs are still very much in control. They return home needing just one goal to progress. Not bad for a side that’s still trying to rediscover its spark under new leadership.
And then there’s Mamelodi Sundowns – the benchmark for consistency in African football. The reigning Betway Premiership champions made light work of Remo Stars, cruising to a 5-1 victory away from home. It’s business as usual for the Brazilians, whose dominance on the continent seems almost routine at this point.
For Pirates, however, routine is the problem. They’ve made a habit of promising much and delivering little when it matters most. Saturday’s return leg could either be the start of a historic comeback – or the painful confirmation that this Buccaneers ship has lost its compass.
