CAFCL: Saint-Eloi Lupopo stun Orlando Pirates in penalty shootout

The CAF Champions League (CAFCL) saw its first major shock of the 2025-26 season on Saturday as last season’s semifinalists Orlando Pirates were eliminated by Congolese club FC Saint-Éloi Lupopo via penalty kicks. The encounter in Johannesburg had a dramatic end as the Linafoot runners-up sneaked into the group stage by breaking the hearts of the Buccaneers, even after losing 0-3 in regulation time.

The South African titans dominated the second leg to stage a comeback from their first-leg defeat in Lubumbashi. Chances were limited as Lupopo played very defensively for much of the first half. Masindi Nemtajela opened the scoring from outside the box six minutes before the interval. Both teams were reduced to ten men after red cards for Chris Sumbu and Tshepang Moremi.

Second-half substitute Yanela Mbuthuma headed home from a corner to double the lead in the 68th minute. South African international Oswin Appollis’ left-footed strike from close range deep into stoppage time enabled the Bucs to complete the comeback. Both teams headed to the penalty shootout, where the visitors showed composure in converting their kicks. Mbuthuma missed the crucial penalty for the hosts as Les Cheminots progressed 5-4.

It is the first time in their history that the Congolese club have qualified for the group stage of the Champions League. The DR Congo club did the unthinkable by knocking out Al Merrikh of Sudan and now the Bucs.