Orlando Pirates’ 2025/26 CAF Champions League dream could be all over by Saturday, 6 pm.
Following a dramatic 3-0 loss in the first leg in Lubumbashi, Abdeslam Ouaddou’s men have one job: win 4-0 in Soweto.
HOW IT ALL STARTED
The Sea Robbers qualified for the CAFCL after finishing 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 catastrophe 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.
That fearsome form was shattered by Lupopo in Lubumbashi.
After going as far as the semifinals last term, Orlando Pirates’ dream was to go all the way.
So, what type of players will Ouaddou select to pull off a 4-0 win at the Orlando Stadium?
The French-Moroccan tactician will need speedy defenders like Lebone Seema to guard against Lupopo’s counter-attacks, while trusting his best long-range shooters in midfield: Thalente Mbatha, Abdoulaye Mariko, and Sipho Mbule.
Up front, Oswin Appollis and Tshepang Moremi’s goal-scoring form makes them undroppable. Appollis has three goals and four assists in 14 appearances, while Moremi boasts five strikes and an assist in 12.
Leading the line, Evidence Makgopa’s movement and ability to drag defenders wide will be key before Tshegofatso Mabasa joins later to occupy the box.
EXPECTED ORLANDO PIRATES LINE-UP IN FULL
Goalkeeper: Sipho Chaine
Right back: Thabiso Lebitso
Left central defender: Mbekezeli Mbokazi
Right central defender: Lebone Seema
Left back: Deon Hotto
Central midfielder: Thalente Mbatha
Central midfielder: Abdoulaye Mariko
Attacking midfielder: Sipho Mbule
Left winger: Oswin Appollis
Right winger: Tshepang Moremi
Striker: Evidence Makgopa.
Kick-off is at 15:00 at the Orlando Stadium, affectionately known as Esgodini.
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