Historic Failure: Pirates' Perfect 3-0 display leads to cruel CAF Champions League exit | OneFootball

A stunning 3-0 fightback ends in heartbreak for the Soweto giants at Orlando Stadium

Historic Failure: Pirates' Perfect 3-0 display leads to cruel CAF Champions League exit

Orlando Pirates have been eliminated from the CAF Champions League in the most dramatic fashion imaginable falling 5-4 on penalties to Saint Eloi Lupopo after producing spectacular 3-0 comeback in regulation time at Orlando Stadium.

Trailing 3-0 from the first leg in Lubumbashi, the Buccaneers produced night of high drama in Soweto , full of goals, scuffles and red cards , only for their dreams to be shattered from the spot.

The comeback that almost was

After tense start, Masindi Nemtajela ignited belief in the home crowd with the opening goal in the 39 minute converting after sustained pressure on the Lupopo defence.

The goal sparked chaos as tempers flared - both Tshepang Moremi and Lupopo defender were shown red cards following heated confrontation before half time.

Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou made bold changes at the break introducing Kabelo Dlamini & Yanela Mbuthuma and the move paid off.

But in the penalty shootout, Lupopo held their nerve while Deon Hotto & Mbuthuma missed from the spot sealing Lupopo’s qualification to Champions League group stage for 1st time in their history.

The clash was marred by off the ball incidents and confrontations as both sides battled fiercely. Lupopo had faced accusations of mistreating the Pirates delegation during last week’s first leg in DR Congo , allegations the club firmly denied in official statement earlier this week.

What’s next

For Pirates, the exit is major setback after reaching last season’s semi finals. They now turn their focus to domestic duties in the Betway Premiership and the Carling Knockout Cup before the mid season pause for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

For Lupopo, history has been made their first ever passage into the group stages of Africa’s elite club competition, sealed in unforgettable circumstances under the Soweto floodlights