Orlando Pirates captain Nkosinathi Sibisi is back in the starting lineup as the Buccaneers face Saint-Eloi Lupopo.
The occasion is a CAF Champions League second round preliminary qualifier, with the first leg in Lubumbashi.
SAINT-ELOI LUPOPO HOST ORLANDO PIRATES
In addition to Sibisi for Lebone Seema in central defence, coach Abdeslam Ouaddou’s changes after the 1-0 win over Siwelele FC in the league include Sipho Mbule and Kamogelo Sebelebele in place of Relebohile Mofokeng and Oswin Appollis.
FULL LINEUP
Sipho Chaine, Thabiso Lebitso, Deon Hotto, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Sihle Nduli, Sipho Mbule, Masindi Nemtajela, Evidence Makgopa, Kamogelo Sebelebele, Tshepang Moremi.
Substitutes: Dladla, Seema, Ndlozi, Ndaba, Mariko Mbatha, Maswanganyi, Appollis, Mabasa
A win for Amabhakabhaka will book their ticket to the CAF Champions League group stages, effectively the last 16 of the competition. The stage features four groups of four teams, with the top two from each group advancing to the quarterfinals, where the real fight for African glory begins.
The Buccaneers reached this second preliminary round after dismantling Lesotho Premier League champions Lioli FC 7–0 on aggregate. Their Congolese opponents, Saint Eloi-Lupopo, had a far more challenging route, scraping past Al Merrikh of Sudan 1–0 over two legs.
The Sea Robbers are chasing consistency on the continent after last season’s strong showing. Jose Riveiro’s men powered their way to the CAF Champions League semifinals, before narrowly losing 3–2 to eventual champions Pyramids FC of Egypt.
Since lifting the famous trophy in 1995, Orlando Pirates have remained a regular and respected name in African football.
The continental record:
- 1994/95 – Champions
- 1996/97 – Group stage
- 2001/02 – Second round
- 2003/04 – Second round
- 2005/06 – Semifinals
- 2012/13 – Final
- 2018/19 – Group stage
- 2023/24 – Second round
- 2024/25 – Semifinals
- 2025/26 – ?
Orlando Pirates in this competition last season:
- Preliminary rounds: Crushed Madagascar’s FC Disciples 4–0, then brushed aside Botswana’s Jwaneng Galaxy 3–0.
- Group stage: Finished top of a brutal pool featuring Al Ahly, CR Belouizdad, and Stade Abidjan, collecting 14 points and leaving Ahly trailing on 10.
- Quarterfinals: Squeezed past MC Algiers 1–0 on aggregate.
- Semifinals: Fell just short with a narrow 3–2 defeat to Pyramids FC.