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Orlando Pirates, October 2025Saint Lupopo
Khothatso Leballo

Orlando Pirates allegedly played on empty stomachs against FC Saint-Eloi Lupopo in Champions League match, CAF boss Patrice Motsepe contacted

The Buccaneers suffered their biggest defeat so far this season following the emphatic loss in the DR Congo. That leaves them with an insurmountable task to overturn that big defeat, a huge test of character for Abdeslam Ouaddou and his men.

  • Saint Lupopo, Orlando Pirates, October 2025Saint Lupopo

    Chiefs fan defends Pirates

    Popular radio personality DJ Tbo Touch has come out in defence of Orlando Pirates following their 3-0 defeat by FC-Saint Eloi Lupopo in a CAF Champions League second-preliminary round, first leg match last weekend.

    A passionate Kaizer Chiefs fan, Tbo Touch, insists the conditions under which the Buccaneers played were far from fair.

    After the heavy defeat in Lubumbashi, he refuses to blame Pirates, arguing the environment robbed the players of their ability to compete while making damning allegations against the Congolese hosts.

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  • Orlando Pirates playersBackpagepix

    Landmines and fear on the pitch

    “I made a point in my life, I don’t care how gifted you are. If circumstances are not conducive [for you] to demonstrate your skills, you are not going to perform at your optimum level," said Tbo Touch on Metro FM.

    “I’m not the one who is going to say Pirates lost because Pirates did not lose. If your environment does not inspire you to be consistent in your craft.

    "First of all, they were supposed to play in a soccer field. They were playing in the DRC, and I did some research. My team told me that they were told in the locker rooms that there are some landmines on the field."

  • Patrice Motsepe, Caf PresidentBackpage

    Playing while hungry, harsh weather and contacting Motsepe

    “How are you going to play knowing that at any time it might set off. Now, everyone is going around saying Pirates lost 3-0. Do research. When Pirates got to the hotel, they didn’t even have their regular breakfast," added the DJ.

    “The nutritionist warned them that guys we have to go and play while hungry. Then the weather conditions on that day were not allowing our boys to demonstrate their skills. They should have called it off the same way they called off the Cape Town marathon.

    “I sent Dr Patrice Motsepe a message to say ‘I’m not asking you to be a patriot, I’m asking you to respect your office. What happened to Orlando Pirates is unwarrantedly disgraceful. They can't play under such conditions.’

    “I’m a Chiefs fan, I’m celebrating the chairman’s birthday, but I’m also a patriot.”

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  • Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Orlando PiratesBackpage

    What comes next?

    Pirates now prepare to host Lupopo in the second leg of this preliminary round on Sunday.

    Abdeslam Ouaddou's men have to win by a four-goal margin to advance to the group stage of the Champions League.

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