Pirates’ Champions League fate now rests with CAF judicial ruling

ORLANDO Pirates’ hopes of continuing in the CAF Champions League have moved from the pitch to the boardroom after their dramatic second-round defeat to Congolese side Saint-Eloi Lupopo.

The Soweto giants lost 3-0 in Lubumbashi, staged a thrilling 3-0 comeback at home, and eventually fell 5-4 on penalties. While the tie ended in heartbreak, Pirates have lodged three separate complaints with CAF against Lupopo’s coach, Guy Bukasa and two players, Henoc Molia and Ramos Kashala Wanet, over alleged eligibility violations.

The complaints centre on serious allegations. Pirates claim Bukasa was suspended by CAF following an incident at the Under-20 AFCON and should not have been allowed on the bench. Molia is alleged to have been registered outside the official transfer window, while Kashala’s registration is under scrutiny because he reportedly holds two passports. CAF’s disciplinary structures are now investigating these matters.

Allegedly, there is optimism in the Pirates camp, with one unnamed source saying, “Yes, there’s definitely a chance for Pirates in this case. The main issue is how Saint Lupopo will prove that the player in question was registered before the deadline.”

CAF looking into protest

CAF has confirmed the complaints are being handled through its judicial structures. Head of TV and Communications, Lux September, told journalists that the organisation is aware of the protests and that they are being processed through CAF’s competent judicial channels. He emphasised that the judicial process is independent and that CAF maintains a separation between administrative operations and judicial proceedings. 

“When? I don't know. How? I don't know. What? I don't know. It's an independent process that is happening, and we respect, and we create this wall between the administrative side and the judicial bodies that exist. So we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it,” September added.

Historical precedent suggests that Pirates could have a pathway back into the competition. In 2016, Mamelodi Sundowns were reinstated into the CAF Champions League after AS Vita Club were disqualified for fielding an ineligible player. 

If Pirates’ appeal is successful, they could replace Saint-Eloi Lupopo in Group C, joining Sundowns, Al-Hilal of Sudan, and MC Alger. With the CAFCL group stage set to kick off on the weekend of November 21-23, a ruling is expected to come quickly.

'The Principal' not totally convinced

Despite Pirates’ optimism, veteran referee Victor ‘The Principal’ Hlongwane has expressed doubts about the strength of the appeal. Speaking on a radio talk show recently, he said, “If you say somebody has two passports, how many players have two passports? Denis Onyango has two passports, Kennedy Mweene has two. Now you go on and say you are protesting about what, players?”

Hlongwane also addressed the Molia case, noting that the CAF system would have blocked any player who was suspended: “The CMS that has the players on the system, if the player is suspended, the CMS will refuse the same as the PSL. 

“If you punch the player who is suspended, the CMS will say no, the player is ineligible.”

Regarding coach Bukasa, Hlongwane argued that a protest against the coach does not impact match outcomes: “Now you come to the coach, the coach does not play football. You protest against the coach, it does not influence the results of the match. So, where is the case there? I do not see any case. 

“I have been in this game and have seen these cases. FIFA referee will punch the system and the system will say, ‘player ineligible,’ so I look at all [and] I do not see a case. Nothing, I don’t see a case. That is why the fixture is out and the games are going to be played.”

Saint-Eloi Lupopo’s CEO, Jean-Luc Kapend, has also dismissed Pirates’ complaints as “baseless.” He believes that Lupopo will join MC Alger, Mamelodi Sundowns, and Al-Hilal in the CAF Champions League group stages, regardless of the ongoing appeal.

As the case unfolds, the football community will be watching closely. Pirates’ appeal illustrates how off-field processes can influence continental competitions and highlights the tension between competitive outcomes on the pitch and the judicial systems governing player and coach eligibility.