Football

Orlando Pirates Handed Unexpected Advantage in CAF Champions League

Published 15 Sep 2026 at 3:46 PM

by Dzikamai Matara

3 min read

Orlando Pirates have received a timely CAF Champions League boost ahead of their highly anticipated meeting with African Stars in October
The Buccaneers could benefit from an unusual development surrounding their next continental assignment, but there is more to the story
Abdeslam Ouaddou’s side will have an interesting challenge ahead as Pirates look to continue their push for another Champions League group-stage appearance

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Orlando Pirates players celebrating — Orlando Pirates have received an unexpected advantage ahead of their CAF Champions League clash with African Stars. Image: orlandopirates/X
Source: Twitter

Orlando Pirates have received an unexpected advantage ahead of their CAF Champions League clash with African Stars, with the upcoming away fixture set to present a different challenge from the usual continental trip. The Buccaneers will face the Namibian champions in October, but the match location could work in their favour.

iDiski Times reports that the two-legged second preliminary-round tie will see African Stars use the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria as their home venue. Pirates therefore avoid travelling across the border for the away leg and will instead play at a stadium they already know.

Pirates get Pretoria advantage

The Pretoria venue is a roughly 45-minute journey from the Pirates camp in Johannesburg, removing much of the travel associated with an away match in Namibia.

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The Buccaneers have also played at Lucas Moripe Stadium, so the surroundings should feel familiar when they return for the Champions League fixture.

However, African Stars have already shown they can perform at the venue. The Namibian side beat AS Mangasport 2-0 at the stadium on 13 September to overturn their first-leg deficit and progress to the next round.

African Stars provide warning

African Stars’ victory means Pirates cannot treat the venue as an automatic advantage.

After the win over Mangasport, coach Ronnie Kanalelo said:

“We didn’t make costly mistakes, and that was a plus. We controlled everything that we needed to control—the attitude was there, and the winning intent was there.”

Pirates, meanwhile, booked their place in the second preliminary round by defeating La Cure Waves 3-1 on 12 September. They had drawn the first leg 0-0 in Mauritius.

Pirates chase Champions League group stage

The winner of the Pirates-African Stars tie will secure a place in the CAF Champions League group stage.

For Pirates, the Pretoria venue removes one significant logistical hurdle. Yet African Stars’ recent result there shows that the Namibian side will remain a serious obstacle.

The tie also carries added interest for Deon Hotto, who could face his former club in the contest.

Orlando Pirates’ Bheki Mabuza transfer raises fresh questions for Ouaddou

Briefly News previously reported that Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou had responded to suggestions that he was turning the Buccaneers into a reunion of his former Marumo Gallants players.

The comments came after Bheki Mabuza returned to Pirates on 9 September 2026, adding to the number of players with Gallants connections in the squad. Ouaddou insisted the club’s scouting department drives the recruitment process and that it is based on tactical requirements.