Orlando Pirates booked their place in the CAF Champions League group stage on Friday night, crushing African Stars 4-0 at the Orlando Amstel Arena to complete a dominant 5-0 aggregate victory. The win secures South Africa’s sole representation in the next round and marks a strong continental response for the club.
Facing a disciplined Namibian side coached by former Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Ronnie Kanalelo—who reached this stage by overturning a first-leg defeat against Gabon’s AS Mangasport—Orlando Pirates quickly asserted control over the fixture in front of their home supporters.
Thapelo Mokobodi and Evidence Makgopa Break Open the First Leg
Simphiwe Masilela helped Pirates increase their overall lead and take control of the tie. African Stars struggled to mount meaningful counter-attacks as the home side dominated possession and forced visiting goalkeeper Mervin Kasetura into heavy action.
Bulelani Sigomoshe had earlier made a brilliant run on the right flank in the 12th minute, looking for Evidence Makgopa with a cutback before the visiting defence intervened. Just before the halftime interval, Evidence Makgopa doubled the lead by steering a low shot past the defence. The goal marked Makgopa’s first strike of the season on his return from injury, putting the Soweto giants firmly in command with a 2-0 lead at the break.
Abdeslam Ouaddou Unleashes Second-Half Substitutes
Head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou made tactical changes at the restart, introducing fresh legs to break down the resilient visiting defence, bringing on Kabelo Kgositsile and Mpho Padime for Thalente Mbatha at the start of the second half.
Qualified ✅Orlando Pirates will play among Africa's best ⏩#TotalEnergiesCAFCL | #SSFootball pic.twitter.com/QPJeyTXuOT
— https://x.com/SSFootball/status/2113725904975249847
You see, I didn’t say nothing. Popo [Mpho Padime] can make, can climb on the ball. [Simphiwe] Masilela can make showboating, you see, I don’t have any problem. But you need to score four goals.
Abdeslam Ouaddou, Orlando Pirates coach, via GOAL
Makgopa added his second of the night in the 77th minute, sealing the 4-0 scoreline on the night and a 5-0 aggregate triumph.
Continental Redemption After Last Season’s Exit
Reaching the group stage fulfills a major objective for the club following last season’s disappointing exit at the same preliminary stage against Saint-Éloi Lupopo. Ouaddou emphasized the necessity of returning to Africa’s elite tier after facing sharp criticism from supporters, describing the team as a giant of African football and noting that the squad learned lessons from their previous setbacks.
Meanwhile, Orlando Pirates shift their focus to domestic fixtures, hosting Milford FC in the Carling Knockout Cup at Orlando before facing Soweto rivals Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium on October 31.
Mpho Padime with a 𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐊𝐄𝐓 🚀🚀He scores his first goal for Pirates in the #TotalEnergiesCAFCL 💥#SSFootball pic.twitter.com/K4CHM9xUG9
— https://x.com/SSFootball/status/2113721784042168549
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Makgopa wins the one-on-one battle with the goalkeeper ☠️👏Pirates are flying at Orlando Amstel Arena 💫📺 Stream #TotalEnergiesCAFCL on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc pic.twitter.com/JpXb1yb77i
— https://x.com/SSFootball/status/2113711284646478148
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— https://x.com/SABC_Sport/status/2113726038790328336