Abdeslam Ouaddou’s Orlando Pirates have been warned to proceed with caution in Lubumbashi.
The Buccaneers’ CAF Champions League opponents, Saint-Eloi Lupopo, reportedly use muti to unsettle visiting teams.
Former Lupopo physiotherapist, Nathie Shongwe, has issued a serious warning saying the Sea Robbers must anticipate dark magical charms.
SAINT-ELOI LUPOPO TO HOST ORLANDO PIRATES IN THE CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
The Buccaneers sent a strong message after smashing Lesotho’s Lioli FC 7–0 on aggregate to set up the battle against Saint-Eloi Lupopo, who squeezed past Al Merrikh of Sudan 1–0 over two legs.
Round one will kick off in Lubumbashi this Sunday, before the Soweto giants host the second tie at the Orlando Stadium on 25 October.
According to Shongwe, an unpleasant battle should be expected long before the players touch the ball on the green grass.
“The team believes in muti,” he told Kick Off. “They strongly believe in it. There’s a substance called speed trap that they pour at the dressing room entrance.
“They’ll wait for Orlando Pirates to walk across it first, it can cause sores on the feet.
“Fans can be violent in Congo,” he added. “TP Mazembe fans will come in numbers to support Pirates. You can even expect fights between Lupopo and Mazembe fans outside the stadium. They only calm down when they see soldiers,” Shongwe added.
CONFIDENCE FOR THE BUCCANEERS
With all that said, Lupopo are probably facing the Buccaneers at the wrong time. Coach Ouaddou is fresh from making Premier Soccer League history by becoming the first coach to win eight matches on the bounce across all competitions, including a staggering seven clean sheets in a row.
The series included wins in the Betway Premiership, MTN8, CAF Champions League, Carling Knockout, and the MTN8 crown.
In a total of 14 matches so far, Bucs have scored 23 goals and only conceded four.
Orlando Pirates also have every reason to feel confident in the CAF Champions League. Last season, the Sea Robbers made a real statement on the continent, reaching the semifinals before falling to eventual champions Pyramids FC.
Drawn in a fearsome Group C with Al Ahly, CR Belouizdad and Stade Abidjan, they stood tall, finishing top with 14 points, four clear of the Egyptian giants.
They then pushed deeper into knockout territory, beating Algeria’s MC Algiers 1–0 on aggregate in the quarterfinals. But it ended in heartbreak as Pyramids snatched a tight 3–2 victory in the semis.
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