Orlando Pirates supporters have voiced outrage following what they described as “bullying behaviour” by St. Eloi Lupopo’s midfielder, Dieumerci Mukoko Amale, during their weekend CAF inter-club fixture.
The Congolese player, who wore jersey number 36, drew widespread criticism for his reckless challenges including an incident where he allegedly stepped on Pirates winger Relebohile Appollis off the ball.
Fans flooded social media with angry comments, condemning Mukoko’s actions and questioning the lack of disciplinary intervention.
“This is bullying, we are concerned about the safety of players,” one supporter wrote, while another said, “FIFA must act on this. I accept defeat, but this madness from Mukoko must stop.”
Many supporters expressed disappointment not only in the on-field conduct but also in how some spectators appeared to find humour in the incident.
“So disappointed in how many people saw that as a joke that should’ve made us stand together against bullying,” one fan posted.
Another supporter called for professionalism, saying, “If a player wants to be recognised, he must be like Fiston Mayele show your skills by scoring goals, not by bullying opponents.”
While Orlando Pirates have not yet lodged a formal complaint with CAF, sources indicate that Lupopo’s coach, Guy Bukasa, is already facing disciplinary scrutiny at continental level, though only for national team matters. The Congolese side, currently enjoying a strong group-stage run, suspects rival teams may be fuelling the controversy to disrupt their momentum.
As the debate continues, Pirates fans are urging CAF to take a firm stance on player safety and sportsmanship, warning that unchecked aggression could set a dangerous precedent in African football.
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