Clear your schedules. Orlando Pirates’ CAF Champions League clash against Saint-Éloi Lupopo will be live on national TV.
The battle will kick off at the Stade Frédéric Kibassa Maliba in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo.
SAINT-ELOI LUPOPO HOST ORLANDO PIRATES
The Buccaneers reached this preliminary second round after cruising past Lioli FC of Lesotho 7-0 on aggregate, while their Congolese opponents dug deep to get past Al Merrikh of Sudan 1-0.
According to the DStv Guide, the match will be aired on SABC 1 on Sunday at 15:00.
The Sea Robbers seek African consistency after an inspiring deep adventure last season. Jose Riveiro’s side were last term’s CAF Champions League semifinalists, before falling 3-2 to eventual champions Pyramids FC.
How it happened:
- Preliminary rounds: Crushed Madagascar’s FC Disciples 4-0 and eased past Botswana’s Jwaneng Galaxy 3-0.
- Group stage: Faced Al Ahly, CR Belouizdad, and Stade Abidjan, and still finished top with 14 points, leaving the mighty Ahly trailing on 10.
- Quarterfinals: Narrowly edged MC Algiers 1-0 on aggregate.
- Semifinals: Bowed out after a tight 3-2 loss to Pyramids FC.
FULL HISTORY IN THE CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Since the iconic 1995 championship, Orlando Pirates have made themselves visible enough on the continent:
- 1994/95 – Champions
- 1996/97 – Group stage
- 2001/02 – Second round
- 2003/04 – Second round
- 2005/06 – Semifinals
- 2012/13 – Final
- 2018/19 – Group stage
- 2023/24 – Second round
- 2024/25 – Semifinals
- 2025/26 – ?
Also read: Buccaneers warned about muti in Congo