CAF Dismisses Orlando Pirates’ Protest: Bucs Hit with R430 000 Fine in Champions League Dispute with St Eloi Lupopo
Johannesburg – The Confederation of African Football has thrown out Orlando Pirates’ complaint against Congolese side FC St Eloi Lupopo, confirming the team’s spot in the CAF Champions League group stages. In a ruling that has left South African fans reeling, CAF not only rejected the Buccaneers’ claims of rule breaches but also slapped the Soweto giants with hefty fines totalling R430 000 for their own misconduct during the tie. This decision ends Pirates’ hopes of reinstatement after their early exit in the preliminary round, marking a tough blow for the club in continental competition.
The verdict, announced on 19 November 2025, stems from a heated matchup in September where Lupopo knocked out Pirates with a 3-1 aggregate win. While Lupopo celebrates what they call a “decisive administrative victory,” Pirates must now lick their wounds and focus on domestic leagues. This case highlights ongoing issues in African football, from eligibility disputes to match-day antics, leaving questions about fair play and accountability.
Background to the Dispute: A Controversial Preliminary Round Clash
The drama kicked off in the CAF Champions League preliminary round, where Orlando Pirates faced FC St Eloi Lupopo from the Democratic Republic of Congo. In the first leg in Lubumbashi, Lupopo dominated with a 3-0 victory, putting Pirates on the back foot. The return leg in Johannesburg saw Pirates pull one back with a 1-0 win, but it was not enough to overturn the deficit.
Pirates lodged a formal protest with CAF, alleging several violations by Lupopo. They claimed two players, Molia and Kashala, were not properly registered and ineligible to play. They also pointed to the presence of Lupopo’s coach, Guy Bukasa Misakabu, on the bench, despite him serving a six-month suspension from a previous U20 matter.
Lupopo hit back with their own complaints, accusing Pirates of denying them necessary accreditation and spraying chemicals in their locker room, which they said created unsafe conditions. These counter-claims turned the spotlight on both sides, making the case about more than just the result on the pitch.
CAF’s Disciplinary Committee reviewed the evidence over several weeks, delaying Lupopo’s confirmation in the group stages. The Congolese club, a historic outfit from Lubumbashi with a strong domestic record in Ligue 1, waited anxiously while preparing for potential advancement.
CAF’s Ruling: Players Eligible, Coach Issue Dismissed, Fines for Pirates
In its decision, CAF sided firmly with Lupopo on the main points. The committee confirmed that players Molia and Kashala were properly registered and eligible to compete. On the coach issue, CAF ruled that Bukasa’s presence on the bench could not lead to sanctions against the club as a whole, though his personal six-month suspension and fine remain in place for the unrelated U20 affair.
Turning to Lupopo’s complaints, CAF found Pirates guilty of misconduct. The South African club was fined $5 000 (about R86 000) for denying Lupopo the necessary accreditation during the match. More seriously, they received a $20 000 penalty (around R344 000) for spraying chemicals in the visitors’ locker room, an act Lupopo claimed endangered their team’s health and safety.
Lupopo released an official statement celebrating the outcome: “CAF has ruled in favour of FC St Lupopo against Orlando Pirates Football Club. Saint Lupopo has secured a decisive administrative victory following the decision rendered by CAF. CAF rejected the complaint filed by South Africa’s Orlando Pirates and 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 be sanctioned against Lupopo.
“However, the Disciplinary Committee upheld the six-month suspension of coach Guy Bukasa Misakabu for the U20 affair, along with a fine.
“Furthermore, following our club’s complaint against Orlando Pirates, CAF imposed financial sanctions on the South Africa club: $5,000 [R86 000] for denying FC Saint Eloi Lupopo the necessary accreditation. $20,000 [R344 000]
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