Lupopo provide update on Pirates’ induced CAF probe

The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s league champions FC Saint-Eloi Lupopo have provided an update on reports that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is investigating them following Orlando Pirates’ complaint.

During the week, media houses in South Africa reported the continental football governing body was probing the Linafoot Ligue 1 side over the questionable involvement of its coach Guy Bukasa in recent matches against the Buccaneers.

However, in an exclusive interview with Pan-Africa Football, Lupopo’s spokesperson Daniel Ndongo insisted they have just heard about the CAF probe on social media, adding that their full focus was on the group stage assignments.

“We haven’t received any updates from the Confederation of African Football on this matter. We remain calm and are preparing for the group stage with peace of mind,” he said.

The outcome of the investigations could have a bearing on Lupopo’s continued participation in the CAF Champions’ League group stages having been drawn with Al-Hilal, MC Alger and Mamelodi Sundowns.

The Lubumbashi-based team ousted Pirates 5-4 on post-match penalties after a three-all time over two legs, matches Bukaya took charge of despite having been suspended earlier this year while managing the DRC’s under-20 national team at its Africa Cup of Nations finals in Egypt.

Earlier, Lupopo’s general secretary (GS), Don Jean-Luc Kapend, hosted a press conference back home on Monday to challenge such reports. The GS said CAF has never written any letter concerning such sanctions.

“Article 29.6 of the 2025 CAF competition regulations is clear. Suspensions of more than one match only apply to the category in which they were imposed, in this case the U20s,” he is quoted as saying by top Congolese football source Foot RDC.

Kupend also challenged those suggesting that their player Wanet Kashala was not supposed to feature in the games against Pirates because he was registered late for the Champions League. The striker was on target in Congo when Lupopo thrashed the Buccaneers 3-0 in the first leg of the final qualifying round.

“Today, everything is computerized. The schedule for the second round was from September 1 to 30. Kashala was registered in the CMS system on September 29. At this stage, we’re not cheating.”

Kapend then challenged their critics that Lupopo will compete in the group stages against all odds.

What is the nature of Lupopo’s complaint to CAF?

Pirates lodged the complaint to CAF insisting that Bukasa was not supposed to preside over the Champions League second preliminary round matches. The Buccaneers also have issues with the involvement of Lupopo player Henoc Molia in the two-legged affair claiming he was registered outside the CAF window. The PSL side also claim another player for the Congolese side, Wanet Kashala, holds two different passports.

CAF’s head of television and communications Luxolo September, a South African, confirmed that the matter is now in the hands of the appropriate authority.