Orlando Pirates’ CAF Champions League dream is suddenly hanging by a thread.
The Sea Robbers were bashed 3-0 by Saint-Eloi Lupopo during Sunday’s first leg clash in Lubumubashi, DRC.
To advance to the group stages, coach Abdeslam Ouaddou’s side must win 4-0 in the second leg at the Orlando Stadium this coming weekend.
CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: SAINT-ELOI LUPOPO 3-0 ORLANDO PIRATES
The hosts couldn’t have asked for a better start. Just five minutes in, Congolese striker Ramos Kashala Wanet broke the deadlock with a composed finish past Sipho Chaine, putting the visitors immediately under pressure.
Midway through the second half, things got worse for the Soweto giants as substitute Kambou reacted quickest to a loose ball in the box, drilling home his side’s second in the 70th minute.
The contest was effectively settled a minute from time when Jean Benoît Tukumban added a third, sealing a dominant win for the Congolese club and giving them a healthy cushion heading into the return leg in South Africa.
HOW THE BUCCANEERS LINED UP
Captain Nkosinathi Sibisi replaced Lebone Seema in the heart of defence. In attack, Sipho Mbule and Kamogelo Sebelebele came in for Relebohile Mofokeng and Oswin Appollis.
Full line-up: Sipho Chaine, Thabiso Lebitso, Deon Hotto, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Sihle Nduli, Sipho Mbule, Masindi Nemtajela, Evidence Makgopa, Kamogelo Sebelebele, Tshepang Moremi.
Substitutes: Siyabonga Dladla, Lebone Seema, Siyabonga Ndlozi, Nkosikhona Ndaba, Abdoulaye Mariko Mbatha, Patrick Maswanganyi, Oswin Appollis, Tshegofatso Mabasa.
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