Orlando Pirates’ dream run in continental competition came crashing down on Sunday as they suffered a humbling 3-0 defeat to St Eloi Lupopo in their CAF Champions League second preliminary round first-leg clash at the Stade Kibassa Maliba in Lubumbashi, DRC.
Just days earlier, Oswin Appollis, Thalente Mbatha and Evidence Makgopa were national heroes after helping Bafana Bafana book their place at the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 24 years. But their return to club football was a harsh reality check as the Buccaneers failed to find their rhythm.
Highs with Bafana, Lows with Orlando Pirates
Appollis, Mbatha and Makgopa all found the net in Bafana’s 3-0 win over Rwanda earlier in the week, sealing South Africa’s ticket to the global showpiece. Their performances earned them widespread praise and raised expectations ahead of Pirates’ Champions League encounter.
However, things went in the opposite direction on Sunday. Lupopo seized control of the game early and never allowed Pirates to settle, exposing the visitors’ defensive frailties and cutting off supply to their star attackers.
Familiar Ground, Unexpected Result
Adding to the disappointment, Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has previously worked in the DRC with AS Vita Club, giving the team an edge in understanding the conditions. But that knowledge offered little resistance to a Lupopo side that dominated from start to finish.
The absence of Relebohile Mofokeng, who missed the clash due to injury, was also felt. The 20-year-old winger has been a key creative spark for the team and his unavailability left a noticeable gap in attack.
Focus Shifts Back to the League
With their winning streak snapped at ten games, Pirates must now regroup quickly. They return to domestic action on Wednesday when they host Polokwane City at Orlando Stadium in a Betway Premiership encounter kicking off at 7:30pm.
The Buccaneers face an uphill task in the second leg, but with their star players capable of magic on their day, they will be hoping for a strong response in front of their home supporters.
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