St-Eloi Lupopo hit back over rumours of CAF sanctions

FC Saint-Eloi Lupopo have fired back at their critics who are suggesting that the Congolese side risks sanctions from the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Social media platforms have been awash with reports that Lupopo could be penalized following the involvement of their coach Guy Bukasa in the CAF Champions League upset of Orlando Pirates over the weekend.

The Linafoot club squeezed through to the Champions’ League group stages at the expense of the fancied Buccaneers after winning 5-4 on post-match penalties in Johannesburg. Pirates won the second leg 3-0 to erase Lupopo’s similar lead from the first leg, thereby paving the way for the penalties.

What the social media reports claim about Lupopo coach

The Facebook reports suggest that Bukasa was not supposed to sit on the bench for the Congolese side. The reports added that the tactician was supposed to serve a suspension for six CAF-sanctioned matches following a disciplinary issue dating back to his previous role as DR Congo coach at the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

In reaction, 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.

“FC Lupopo will play in the group stage,” he said.