Orlando Pirates asked the Confederation of African Football to review their Champions League exit after a 3-3 aggregate tie with Saint Eloi Lupopo ended in a 5-4 shootout loss. The club filed three complaints that challenge the eligibility of Lupopo’s head coach and two players and seek possible reinstatement to the group stage. CAF’s disciplinary committee is set to rule before the group phase starts next month.
Pirates fell 3-0 in Lubumbashi in the first leg, then won 3-0 at Orlando Stadium on Oct. 25, 2025. The grievances cite a touchline ban they say should have barred coach Guy Bukasa, a mistaken-identity red card in the second leg that they argue should have targeted Dieumerci Mukoko Amale rather than Chris Sumbu Maniania, and questions over striker Wanet Kashala Ramos’s registration. Lupopo has rejected the claims, saying the coach’s ban applied to national teams, the registration met CAF rules, and the visitors received proper logistics. Pirates drop to the Confederation Cup unless the case succeeds, while the dispute renews debate over eligibility checks and officiating standards in African competitions.
Pirates fell 3-0 in Lubumbashi in the first leg, then won 3-0 at Orlando Stadium on Oct. 25, 2025. The grievances cite a touchline ban they say should have barred coach Guy Bukasa, a mistaken-identity red card in the second leg that they argue should have targeted Dieumerci Mukoko Amale rather than Chris Sumbu Maniania, and questions over striker Wanet Kashala Ramos’s registration. Lupopo has rejected the claims, saying the coach’s ban applied to national teams, the registration met CAF rules, and the visitors received proper logistics. Pirates drop to the Confederation Cup unless the case succeeds, while the dispute renews debate over eligibility checks and officiating standards in African competitions.
