Orlando Pirates look for domestic rebound after disappointing CAF Champions League defeat

The Sea Robbers’ sails have been blown wide, but they remain the masters of their own destiny when it comes to their domestic and continental campaigns.

Orlando Pirates were hammered 3-0 by Saint Eloi Lupopo in the first leg of the CAF Champions League second-round preliminary qualifier in Lubumbashi over the weekend – putting them under immense pressure ahead of the second leg at Orlando Stadium on Saturday (3pm).

Pirates need to win the match to qualify for the group stage. And alas, should they fail to qualify, they will have squandered the opportunity to build on last season’s semi-final run under coach Jose Riveiro.

And perhaps therein lies the problem. When Abdeslam Ouaddou was appointed as the new Pirates coach, he took the job knowing full well that he had big shoes to fill.

That includes excelling in continental football – especially considering that Pirates were the first South African team to win the CAF Champions League back in 1995. That is why they are expected to become the first South African club to win a second title, following Mamelodi Sundowns’ triumph in 2016.

But Pirates cannot afford to put all their eggs in one basket. They must also deliver on their domestic mandates – including winning the Betway Premiership.

Pirates are well known as cup specialists, having won six trophies in the past three and a half years – including four successive MTN8 titles and back-to-back Nedbank Cups. However, the fact that they haven’t won the league since 2012 casts a shadow over those achievements.

Riveiro did his best to win the league during his three-year reign, but the best he could manage was finishing second in back-to-back seasons. Now, the buck stops with the current crop of players.

Ouaddou has made a promising start, winning their last few league matches. But they cannot stop there. They must maintain the momentum and continue performing in their upcoming fixtures.

Pirates will face Polokwane City at home on Wednesday – a game they must win to make meaningful strides toward the title and to bounce back from the embarrassment in Lubumbashi.

The good thing about Ouaddou’s situation is that he has a talented squad capable of success. Many of his regulars were part of the Bafana Bafana team that recently qualified for the 2026 Fifa World Cup.

So, as they navigate through foreign waters, the players must maintain the right mentality to steer the ship into clear waters.

Sipho Mbule has made quite an impression since joining the club in winter. The nickname “MasterChef” fits – he's been cooking and dishing out key passes.

However, he can't carry the load alone. His teammates must rise to the occasion and deliver in their respective positions. For example, captain Nkosinathi Sibisi came under scrutiny after the loss to Lupopo. Many felt he compromised the defence, having recently lost his starting place to Lebone Seema.

But once again, Pirates must shut out the outside noise and steer themselves toward the promised land – both domestically and continentally. After all, not all is lost.