Orlando Pirates’ 2025/26 CAF Champions League ambition faces a do-or-die afternoon in Soweto at 15:00.
Following the shock 3-0 loss in the first leg in Lubumbashi, Abdeslam Ouaddou’s are obliged to win 4-0 to advance to the group stages.
According to coach Ouaddou, 90 minutes is sufficient.
CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: ORLANDO PIRATES VS SAINT-ELOI LUPOPO
The dream was born after the Sea Robbers finished second behind Betway Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns last season.
In the first round of the preliminary qualifiers, Orlando Pirates dismantled Lesotho Premier League champions Lioli FC 7–0 on aggregate. Their Congolese opponents, Saint-Eloi Lupopo, only squeezed past Al-Merrikh of Sudan 1–0 over two legs.
Before the 3-0 disaster in Congo, Amabhakabhaka were walking on water: 11 wins from 14 games across all competitions, with just two losses and one draw.
Their defence was watertight too, keeping seven clean sheets while scoring 24 goals and conceding only four. Ouaddou even wrote his name into the Bucs’ history books as the first coach to win eight straight matches in charge. Lupopo shattered that invincible zone in Lubumbashi.
ABDESLAM OUADDOU’S VIEWS
“Firstly, it’s very important to work psychologically with the players, making them understand,” said Abdeslam Ouaddou.
The French-Moroccan said his Orlando Pirates players must understand that progressing to the next stage is within reach, but the key will be maintaining ambition throughout the match.
He added that while it’s crucial to stay organised and avoid conceding, the Buccaneers must approach the game with attacking intent and the belief that they can score away from home.
“But I believe that the environment will be okay for us, for the players and the support of our fans will be crucial.
“I just remember that in 15 minutes of the MTN8, we were able to score three goals. So, 90 minutes is a lot of time to come back,” he concluded.
Also read: Chasing 3-0: Orlando Pirates’ expected starting 11 vs Lupopo