Orlando Pirates’ CAF Champions League hopes have come to an end after CAF ruled in favour of Saint Eloi Lupopo following an eligibility dispute involving two players and the presence of their coach Guy Bukasa on the bench.
Following a 3-3 aggregate score over two legs in the second preliminary round, Lupopo went on to win the tie 5-4 on penalties — eliminating Pirates at the same stage for the second time in three seasons, having previously fallen to Botswana’s Jwaneng Galaxy.
The ruling means Lupopo will now open their group-stage campaign away against Mamelodi Sundowns at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium this Saturday (3pm kick-off), in a group that also features former Sundowns coach Rhulani Mokwena’s MC Alger and Sudanese side Al Hilal.
In a statement released on Lupopo’s official X channel, the DR Congo club confirmed that CAF had sided with them after Pirates appealed against the eligibility of players Henoc Molia and Wanet Kashala, while also questioning whether coach Guy Bukasa should have been allowed to be on the bench.
“Football Club Saint Lupopo has secured a decisive administrative victory following the decision made by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).” the statement read.
“The complaint lodged by South Africa’s Orlando Pirates was rejected, and CAF confirmed the eligibility of players Molia and Kashala, who were properly registered.
“CAF also clarified that the presence of coach Guy Bukasa on the bench during the match cannot result in any sanction against Football Club Saint Eloi Lupopo.
“However, the Disciplinary Committee has confirmed the six-match suspension of coach Guy Bukasa Misakabu regarding the U20 case, along with a fine.”
To add to Pirates’ woes, they were also fined following a counter-complaint from Lupopo. CAF found Pirates guilty of denying Lupopo the necessary accreditations — resulting in a $5,000 fine — and a further $20,000 for spraying chemical products in the visitors’ dressing room.
