Orlando Pirates
Orlando Pirates eliminated on penalties by Saint Eloi Lupopo
Orlando Pirates staged a dramatic comeback but were knocked out of the CAF Champions League after a 3-3 aggregate draw with Saint Eloi Lupopo, losing 5-4 in the penalty shootout. The South African side overturned a 0-3 first-leg deficit with a 3-0 second-leg victory in Soweto, only for penalties to end their campaign. The exit costs Pirates significant prize money, limiting them to $100,000 instead of the $700,000 minimum for the group stage.
Orlando Pirates eliminated from CAF Champions League by Lupopo on penalties
Orlando Pirates suffered a heartbreaking exit from the CAF Champions League preliminary round despite a 3-0 victory in the second leg against Saint-Éloi Lupopo. The aggregate score ended 3-3, but Lupopo advanced after winning the penalty shootout. Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou hailed his team's brave performance while blasting perceived cheating.