Orlando Pirates’ CAF Champions League (CAFCL) dream might not be over just yet. The Soweto giants have taken their battle off the pitch and into the boardroom.
The Sea Robbers lodged three separate complaints against Saint-Eloi Lupopo following their second-round qualifier defeat.
The Soweto giants lost 3–0 in Lubumbashi before a spectacular 3–0 comeback in Soweto, only to fall 5–4 on penalties. But while the tie ended in heartbreak, the law could turn it all around.
ORLANDO PIRATES WAITING FOR CAF INVESTIGATION AGAINST SAINT-ELOI LUPOPO
As previously reported here on The South African, Amabhakabhaka filed three cases against Lupopo’s head coach Guy Bukasa and two players, Henoc Molia and Ramos Khashala Wanet, with CAF’s disciplinary structures now investigating the matter.
The allegations are serious: Bukasa is said to have been suspended by CAF for a previous incident at the Under-20 AFCON, Molia is accused of being registered outside the official transfer window, and Wanet’s registration is under scrutiny due to allegedly holding two passports.
A source told Soccer Laduma there’s real optimism inside the Orlando Pirates camp. “Yes, there’s definitely a chance for Pirates in this case,” he said. “The main issue is how Saint Lupopo will prove that the player in question was registered before the deadline,” the insider added.
With the CAFCL group stage kicking off on the weekend of 21-23 November, time will be of the essence.
WHAT’S POSSIBLE?
So what happens if Orlando Pirates win the case? A look back at CAF history gives a clue. In 2016, Mamelodi Sundowns were reinstated into the CAFCL after AS Vita Club were disqualified for fielding an ineligible player.
If the verdict favours the Sea Robbers, they could replace Saint-Eloi Lupopo in Group C, joining Mamelodi Sundowns, Al-Hilal (Sudan), and MC Alger.