Lupopo files a counter-complaint against Pirates, image: Orlando pirates via X
(The post News) CAF Champions League showdown between FC Saint-Eloi Lupopo and Orlando Pirates has deepened, with Lupopo submitting a counter-complaint to the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Following their dramatic exit from the Champions League qualifiers a 3-3 aggregate draw that saw Lupopo advance 5-4 on penalties, Orlando Pirates filed three formal complaints to CAF. The Soweto giants alleged that Lupopo fielded an ineligible coach and two players, citing administrative and disciplinary irregularities.
Pirates’ protest sparked widespread debate in African football circles, questioning both the officiating and the integrity of club registrations. However, in a twist Lupopo has now turned the tables by filing their own counter-case against Orlando Pirates.
The Congolese side accuses Pirates of unsporting conduct, including claims that a chemical substance was sprayed in their dressing room before kickoff and that Lupopo players were physically intimidated by home staff at Orlando Stadium.
Lupopo’s General Secretary, Jean-Luc Kapend, has rubbished the allegations made by Pirates, insisting that all players and coaching staff were properly cleared and registered under CAF regulations. He further stated that Coach Guy Bukasa’s prior suspension was tied to his former DR Congo U-20 post and therefore irrelevant to his current club duties.
“We have nothing to hide. Orlando Pirates must accept defeat in good faith. CAF has all the documents proving our compliance,” Kapend said in a statement. CAF has confirmed receipt of complaints from both clubs and announced that its disciplinary and governance committees are reviewing the submissions.
Both cases will be resolved before the start of the group-stage draw, set for later this month in Johannesburg. If found guilty, either team could face forfeiture, suspension, or disqualification, depending on the severity of the infraction.
What began as a tightly contested football battle has spiralled into a bureaucratic showdown that threatens to overshadow the tournament itself. With both clubs holding firm to their narratives, the continental body’s ruling could set a new precedent in African football governance.
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