Pirates’ Champions League Dream Shattered by Amale’s On-Field Drama. Image: Saint Eloi Lupopo FC shared via X.
(The Post News)- Dieumerci Mukoko Amale of Saint-Eloi Lupopo stole the show with a performance worthy of a football epic, and Orlando Pirates’ CAF Champions League trip ended in heartbreak in Soweto.
The match was chaotic, but the dreadlocked defense controlled everything. Despite a 3-0 victory in the second leg, the Buccaneers were ultimately defeated 5-4 in the preliminary qualifier penalty shootout. In the 39th minute, Masindi Nemtajela gave the Pirates the lead, but as he attempted to continue play, Amale charged in, grabbing the ball out of his hands and pressing his forehead against him in a furious altercation.
In response, Pirates winger Tshepang Moremi shoved Amale, who dramatically fell to the ground while clutching his face as if he were trying out for Shaka iLembe. Nigerien referee Mohamed Ali Moussa made a costly error by sending out Chris Maniania rather than Amale because VAR was not available prior to the quarterfinals. Moremi was also sent off, depriving the Pirates of a man.
To the annoyance of Bucs supporters and the enjoyment of Kaizer Chiefs fans watching from home, Amale persisted in making derogatory gestures at the crowd. Amale finished his performance by dancing joyfully from the field to the dressing room after Lupopo won on penalties.
Kinshasa-Born Amale’s Journey from Defender to CAF Drama Star
Dieumerci Mukoko Amale was born in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, on July 17, 1998. The 27-year-old right-back left the Moroccan team Berrechid to join Saint-Éloi Lupopo in August.
Amale is a seasoned international for the Democratic Republic of the Congo with 23 caps. He has played for several teams over the years, including AS Vita, DC Motema Pembe, Les Aigles in the Congolese LinaFoot, and Difaâ El Jadida in Morocco. In 2020–21, he made 26 appearances and helped Difaâ El Jadida with three assists, which was his most productive season.
Amale played 45 of his 93 top-flight games as a center defender before switching to right-back later in his career. After 13 appearances in the CAF Confederation Cup over three seasons with El Jadida, this season is his debut in the CAF Champions League.
Even though Amale isn’t one of the best players the Orlando Pirates have ever faced, the Bucs’ fans will never forget him.
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