Orlando Pirates’ CAF Champions League dream ended in Soweto against Saint-Eloi Lupopo, where Dieumerci Mukoko Amale acted out his own movie.
The dreadlocked defender was at the centre of it all. The Sea Robbers won 3-0 in the second leg but eventually lost 5-4 on penalties in the preliminary qualifier.
RED CARDS FOR ORLANDO PIRATES’ MASINDI NEMTAJELA AND CHRIS MANIANIA OF SAINT-ELOI LUPOPO
The Buccaneers‘ Masindi Nemtajela gave the home side the lead in the 39th minute. Trying to restart the game quickly, Amale charged in like a man possessed, wrestling the ball out of Nemtajela’s arms before pressing his forehead against him in the most provocative scene you have ever seen in football.
Nemtajela’s teammate, Tshepang Moremi, fell for the trap. The Orlando Pirates winger shoved Amale, and he flew to the ground like he’d been kicked by a horse, rolling on the grass, clutching his face as if auditioning for Shaka iLembe.
With no VAR available before the quarterfinals, Nigerien referee Mohamed Ali Moussa made the wrong call, showing a red card to Chris Maniania instead of Amale, despite desperate protests. Moremi was also sent off, leaving Orlando Pirates with a man down.
To the great annoyance of Bucs fans, Amale was not done. He moved around with cheeky gestures, entertaining Kaizer Chiefs supporters watching from home.
When Lupopo finally won the game on penalties, Amale predictably celebrated with wild dances from the pitch to the changing room.
WHO IS DIEUMERCI MUKOKO AMALE?
He was born 27 years ago in Kinshasa, DR Congo, on July 17, 1998. The right-back joined Lupopo in August from Moroccan side Berrechid.
He’s a DR Congo international with 23 caps. His previous clubs include AS Vita, DC Motema Pembe, and Les Aigles in the Congolese LinaFoot. He also played for Difaâ El Jadida in Morocco.
The most productive season of his career was 2020/21, when he played 26 times for Difaâ El Jadida and had three assists. His move to right-back is relatively new. From his 93 matches at the highest level, 45 were in central defence. This is his debut season in the Champions League after 13 appearances in the CAF Confederation Cup over three years with El Jadida.
Amale is not the best player Orlando Pirates have ever faced, but the Bucs fanbase will never forget him.
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