Abdeslam Ouaddou returns to familiar territory as Orlando Pirates chase CAF Champions League progress

Orlando Pirates will look to take another step closer to the CAF Champions League group stages when they face Saint-Eloi Lupopo in the first leg of their final preliminary round clash in Lubumbashi on Sunday at 3pm.

It’s a trip that promises both intensity and intrigue for the Buccaneers, who enter the tie buoyed by their growing continental pedigree and a technical team that understands the demands of African competition.

For coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, this fixture carries added significance — not only as a test of his tactical acumen but also as a return to familiar territory. The Moroccan mentor spent most of last year in the Democratic Republic of Congo, having been in charge of AS Vita Club. That experience, he believes, could serve Pirates well as they aim to navigate one of Africa’s most challenging football environments.

“I just trust the work that I am doing, the values that I’m putting in my work, the love that I’m putting in my job, the love that I’m putting on my players,” Ouaddou said.

“And what is important as well is the trust — the trust of my club, you know, because without trust from your management, about the board, it’s difficult. So, I thank them for that, for the trust,” he added, reflecting on his relationship with the Buccaneers hierarchy.

That trust will be tested in Lubumbashi, where Les Cheminots have built a reputation as one of the most formidable home sides in Congolese football. During the Championship Phase of Linafoot Ligue 1, Lupopo collected 16 of a possible 21 points at home — a run that underpinned their domestic title challenge. Only AS Maniema Union managed to snatch a victory there, while even perennial giants TP Mazembe could only settle for a 1–1 draw in their penultimate fixture.

The raucous home crowd and artificial surface are key elements of Lupopo’s fortress. Pirates, however, won’t be entirely unaccustomed to such conditions, having faced Madagascar’s Djabal on similar turf during last season’s journey to the semifinals of the CAF Confederation Cup.

Lupopo’s growing continental consistency also deserves recognition. This will be their fourth consecutive campaign in CAF interclub competitions, though their previous adventures in the Confederation Cup ended in disappointment — twice bowing out in the second preliminary round. Their best effort came in the 2022/23 season when they progressed to the group stage, finishing third behind eventual semifinalists Marumo Gallants and USM Alger.

Their history in the top tier, however, dates back decades. The Congolese side’s finest hour in the CAF Champions League (then the Africa Cup of Champions Clubs) came in 1982, when they reached the semifinals — a feat they have yet to repeat since, despite six subsequent attempts.

Among the standout figures in their current squad is Simon Omossola, the Cameroonian international goalkeeper fresh from national team duty.

The 27-year-old kept two clean sheets in the previous round and will again be key to Lupopo’s defensive resolve. Midfielder Miché Mika, once of TP Mazembe, brings much-needed leadership and continental experience in the heart of the team.

Pirates, meanwhile, will bank on their CAF experience, squad depth, and momentum from their domestic form. The stage is set for a testing afternoon in Lubumbashi — one that could go a long way in defining their continental ambitions this season.