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Abdeslam Ouaddou & Mandla Ncikazi, Orlando Pirates, and Cedric Kaze & Khalil Ben Youssef, Kaizer Chiefs 16-9GOAL GFX
Celine Abrahams

Soweto invades Lubumbashi: Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates face a DRC double threat in CAF’s crucible of fire

Two Soweto giants, one Congolese cauldron. Amakhosi and the Buccaneers travel to Lubumbashi for high-stakes CAF clashes against AS Simba and Saint Eloi Lupopo, respectively. It’s the second preliminary round and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Soweto’s pride meets the DRC’s passion; this is more than football, it’s a continental reckoning.

It’s a rare double-header of continental drama. Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, South Africa’s most storied clubs, are both in Lubumbashi this weekend, facing off against Congolese opposition in the second preliminary round of CAF’s elite competitions. 

Amakhosi take on AS Simba in the Confederation Cup, while the Buccaneers battle Saint Eloi Lupopo in the Champions League.

The stakes? A step closer in the group stages. The setting? The football-mad city of Lubumbashi, where TP Mazembe’s fortress and Stade Frédéric Kibassa Maliba will host two of the most anticipated fixtures of the round. 

Here, GOAL builds up to the much-anticipated continental fixtures.  

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  • Kaizer ChiefsBackpage

    AS Simba vs Kaizer Chiefs

    Kaizer Chiefs arrive in Lubumbashi with a point to prove. After edging past Kabuscorp on penalties in the first round, Amakhosi now face AS Simba; Congo Cup champions and Linafoot’s fifth-placed finishers. Simba cruised past Djabal Club d'Iconi with a 3-0 aggregate win and now enjoy the backing of TP Mazembe fans in a rare show of Congolese unity.    

    Chiefs’ squad has been boosted as four of their new signings have been cleared to make their debuts, but they’ll need more than talent; they’ll need composure in a stadium that rarely forgives mistakes.     

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  • Evidence Makgopa, Orlando PiratesBackpage

    Saint Eloi Lupopo vs Orlando Pirates

    Orlando Pirates, fresh off a 7-0 aggregate demolition of Lioli FC, now face a sterner test in Saint Eloi Lupopo. The Railmen edged Al-Merrikh 1-0 on aggregate and are back in the Champions League for the first time since 2010. 

    Pirates, led by Abdeslam Ouaddou, must adapt quickly to the intensity of Stade Frédéric Kibassa Maliba. It’s their first continental away game this season and the Congolese crowd will be unforgiving.   

  • Kaizer Chiefs Orlando Pirates fansBackpagepix

    Soweto’s continental legacy on the line

    Both clubs carry the weight of history. Chiefs haven’t reached a CAF final since their 2021 Champions League run, while Pirates, 1995 Champions League winners, are desperate to reclaim continental relevance.  

    These preliminary rounds may not grab headlines, but they’re the gateway to glory. Soweto’s footballing pride is on trial in Lubumbashi. 


  • Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze, Kaizer ChiefsBackpage

    Lubumbashi factor: Hostile, historic, humbling

    This football-mad city breathes the game with every heartbeat, and this weekend, it hosts not one, but two continental showdowns. Chiefs head to Stade TP Mazembe, a cathedral of Congolese football steeped in history and intimidation.  

    Pirates, meanwhile, head to Stade Frédéric Kibassa Maliba, a ground known for its raw energy and partisan roar. Though the venues differ, the challenge is united: Soweto’s giants must weather the storm of Congolese passion.   

  • Abdeslam Ouaddou, Orlando PiratesBackpage

    Road to the Group Stage starts here

    This isn’t the finish line, it’s the gateway. The second preliminary round may not carry the glamour of the group stage, but it’s the threshold between hope and heartbreak. For Chiefs, a strong result away to AS Simba could set the tone for a decisive return leg. 

    For Pirates, the trip to face Saint Eloi Lupopo is the first half of a two-act test, one that will conclude back in Soweto.  

    Victory over two legs means entry into the group stages, where the real continental journey begins. But a poor first-leg showing could leave too much to do at home. 

  • Kaizer Chiefs fans, September 2025Backpage

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