Pirates hunt for away goal in DRC battle against Lupopo

Orlando Pirates face their first major test of the CAF Champions League campaign this Sunday as they travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to take on Saint-Éloi Lupopo in the Second Preliminary Round first leg.

The Buccaneers, champions in 1995, are one tie away from the prestigious group stage, but first, they must navigate a crucial away fixture against the Congolese side, known as Les Cheminots (The Railmen), at the Stade Frederic Kibasa Maliba in Lubumbashi. Kickoff is set for 15H00 (SAST).

Having easily dispatched Lesotho’s Lioli with a 7-0 aggregate victory—both legs played in South Africa—Abdeslam Ouaddou’s men will now step into hostile territory, facing not only a challenging opponent but also an intimidating atmosphere and an artificial playing surface.

Pirates Kick Off Group Stage Bid in Hostile Lubumbashi

Saint-Éloi Lupopo arrives in this round after a narrow escape against their Sudanese opponents. Their recent results suggest a difficult side to beat, but one that struggles for goals, highlighted by their recent form of D-D-D-W-D.

Their progression was sealed by a single goal from defender Mokonzi Katumbwe in the first leg, which proved decisive after a tense goalless draw in the second leg. Lupopo’s recent history shows an alarming propensity for stalemates, with four draws in their last five competitive matches, including two consecutive 0-0 results in recent pre-season friendlies.

Lupopo’s success is built upon their home dominance. Last season, they proved nearly impenetrable in Lubumbashi, dropping points only once during the domestic Championship Phase, demonstrating why their passionate home crowd is often credited as a major factor.

The artificial turf will also present an immediate challenge for Pirates, who are accustomed to natural grass. While the Buccaneers have some experience with synthetic pitches from their previous campaign, Lupopo’s familiarity is a definite advantage.

Continental History: Waiting for a Breakthrough

While Saint-Éloi Lupopo has been a consistent presence in continental tournaments, their success in the Champions League is rooted in the distant past.

Their best finish came in the 1982 Africa Cup of Champions Club (the predecessor to the CAF Champions League) when they reached the semi-finals. Since then, they have struggled to make significant inroads in the elite competition, with their recent CAF efforts mostly focused on the Confederation Cup. Their recent Confed Cup runs have seen them fail to reach the knockout stages, often exiting at the Second Preliminary or Play-off rounds.

Founded in 1939 and the fourth most successful club in the DRC with six league titles, Lupopo is a storied side. Pirates will need a professional, disciplined performance on Sunday to ensure they bring a vital result back to South Africa for the second leg and keep their group stage ambitions alive.