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Saint Lupopo, Orlando Pirates, October 2025Saint Lupopo
Celine Abrahams

Former Saint-Eloi Lupopo and Chippa United coach warns of defensive fortress as Orlando Pirates chase CAF Champions League miracle against their DRC opponents

The Buccaneers were dealt a heavy blow in the first leg of their second preliminary round clash, falling 3-0 to the Congolese side away at Stade Kibassa Maliba on Sunday, 19 October. With the deficit looming large, they now face a daunting task in Saturday’s decisive return leg in front of their home crowd at Orlando Stadium.

  • Orlando Pirates, October 2025Saint Lupopo

    All eyes on Pirates

    Three unanswered goals, one bruised campaign and 90 plus minutes to rewrite the story. As Orlando Pirates prepare for the return leg against Saint-Eloi Lupopo, the mission is clear: defy the odds, ignite the crowd and chase a comeback that will grab headlines across the continent.

    With all eyes on head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou’s side, former Saint-Eloi Lupopo and Chippa United boss Luc Eymael has weighed in, warning the Sea Robbers about the defensive challenge that awaits.

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  • Luc Eymael, Chippa UnitedBackpage

    Eymael reflects on the match

    “On Pirates against Lupopo, it will be difficult – nothing is impossible, but it will be very difficult to put four goals past Lupopo without conceding one,” Eymael told Soccer Laduma’s Siya Crew. 

    “We were the best defence, the best clean sheet record last season, and they have a very good goalkeeper. The foundations are there. Yes, the coach changed the system to a 3-5-2 while I used to play 4-3-3, but they recruited some good players. It will be difficult, but nothing is impossible in life.

    "Personally, I didn’t expect that Pirates would lose 3-0 in Lupopo," the former Chippa United coach revealed. 

    "Last week I said that everything would depend on the result they got away. I said to you, and I said to Mr (Abdeslam) Ouaddou that everything would depend on the result that they would get in Lupopo. Unfortunately for them, they conceded three goals, so it will be difficult – but in life, there’s still hope,” concluded Eymael.

  • Sipho Mbule, Orlando Pirates, October 2025Backpage

    Pirates’ journey from Lioli rout to Lupopo reality

    Pirates began their CAF Champions League campaign in dominant fashion, sweeping aside Lesotho’s Lioli FC with a commanding 7-0 aggregate win in the first preliminary round. The Buccaneers looked sharp, confident and ready for a deep run.

    But that momentum was abruptly halted in Lubumbashi. Now, with the return leg looming at Orlando Stadium, the Buccaneers must channel the same ruthless intent that dismantled Lioli, this time with even greater precision and urgency, to overturn the deficit and keep their continental dream alive.

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  • Abdeslam Ouaddou, Orlando PiratesBackpage

    What comes next?

    The Sea Robbers are in the thick of a demanding fixture run, with a midweek Premier Soccer League showdown against Polokwane City before turning their focus to Saturday’s high-stakes CAF Champions League return leg against Lupopo. 

    Kick-off is set for 3pm (SAST) at Orlando Stadium.

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