Lubumbashi – Orlando Pirates’ hopes of advancing to the CAF Champions League group stages took a heavy blow after they were beaten 3-0 by DR Congo’s Saint-Eloi Lupopo in the first leg of the second qualifying round at Stade Frederic Kibassa Maliba on Sunday.
Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou made several adjustments to the line-up that faced Siwelele FC in the Carling Knockout. Captain Nkosinathi Sibisi reclaimed his spot from Lebone Seema, while Sipho Mbule replaced the injured Relebohile Mofokeng. Kamogelo Sebelebele also returned to the starting side, taking the place of Oswin Appollis.
Evidence Makgopa, fresh from scoring for Bafana Bafana in their 3-0 victory over Rwanda in a World Cup qualifier, started up front as a lone striker. But the Buccaneers’ bright start was quickly dimmed when Wanet Kashala put Lupopo ahead in the fifth minute after a defensive lapse.
The early goal unsettled the visitors, forcing them into deep defensive play that allowed the hosts to dictate tempo. Pirates came close to equalising in the 15th minute when a Deon Hotto free kick found Makgopa, but his effort was blocked by goalkeeper Simon Medjo.
As the game wore on, the heat in Lubumbashi took its toll on both sides, prompting a cooling break around the half-hour mark. Lupopo maintained their lead going into the interval.
Ouaddou introduced Appollis and Thalente Mbatha after the break in an attempt to inject pace and creativity, but the Congolese side continued to dominate. Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine pulled off several crucial saves before Dramane Kambou doubled Lupopo’s lead in the 70th minute.
Pirates thought they had found a lifeline when Hotto found the back of the net in the 86th minute, only for the referee to rule the goal out for a foul. Three minutes later, Jean Benoît Tukumbane sealed the victory with Lupopo’s third.
The Buccaneers now face a tough challenge in the return leg in Orlando, where they will need to overturn the deficit to keep their continental hopes alive.
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