Orlando Pirates secured a 1-0 first-leg victory over African Stars in the CAF Champions League preliminary round, with Tshepang Moremi scoring the decisive goal in Botswana on October 17, 2026, as the Soweto giants aim to advance to the group stages.
Orlando Pirates Secure 1-0 Win in First Leg
Orlando Pirates claimed a narrow 1-0 advantage in the first leg of their CAF Champions League second preliminary round tie against African Stars, with Tshepang Moremi’s 75th-minute goal proving decisive at the Botswana National Stadium. The win, secured in a physically demanding encounter, gives the Buccaneers a foothold in the competition as they prepare for the return leg at Orlando Amstel Arena. The match, played in Gaborone, Botswana, was held at a neutral venue due to a lack of available suitable facilities in Namibia, as reported by Source 2.
Moremi’s strike came after a persistent performance from the Buccaneers, who dominated large portions of the match but struggled to break down the resilient African Stars defense. Pirates’ goalkeeper Sipho Chaine made key saves, while striker Yanela Mbuthuma had several chances, including a missed one-on-one opportunity in the 57th minute. In the 15th minute, Simphiwe Masilela’s corner found Gamphani Lungu, whose diving header narrowly missed the target. Mbuthuma later drew a save from goalkeeper Mervin Kasetura before going narrowly wide on a through ball from Bulelani Sigomoshe, as detailed in Source 3.
☠️ FT | @african_StarsFC 0 – 1 @orlandopirates 🥅 Moremi 75'⚫⚪🔴⭐#MatchDay#OrlandoPirates#OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/G4Z2CQvzch
As the match passed the hour mark, African Stars struggled to find a way past the Buccaneers’ defense, with home side attackers Paulus Gideon, Rufus Sackie Jr, and Ronaldo Kamatuka unable to make a decisive impact. Pirates maintained their attacking approach after the restart, with Moremi and Mbuthuma continuing to trouble the African Stars defense. However, captain Himeekua Ketjijere and his defensive colleagues managed to clear the danger. In the 57th minute, Mbuthuma missed another opportunity after finding himself one-on-one with Kasetura but failed to get a shot away, according to Source 4.
Coach’s Strategy and Squad Management
Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum ahead of the return leg, stating, It will be important to come back with a positive result because this will really be a big challenge for us.
The Moroccan tactician also addressed squad rotation, explaining that his approach prioritizes managing workload across multiple competitions. We have a lot of fixtures. We play in the Carling [Knockout] Cup,
Ouaddou said, highlighting the need to balance intensity with player fitness. Source 6 details his focus on rotation, noting that Pirates will play close to 60 matches this season and that he intends to utilize his squad effectively.
Ouaddou’s strategy included leaving out veteran Deon Hotto, who was instead designated as an “impact player” for future matches. Unfortunately, the game didn’t give me the opportunity to bring him. But for sure, we still have one game left. Hopefully, he will be able to bring his experience,
the coach explained. Source 7 confirms that Hotto’s absence was due to tactical considerations and the need for rest, with Ouaddou noting that Hotto was part of the starting XI but not deployed in the match.
Top winger Oswin Appollis sat out the initial match for Orlando Pirates, as Ouaddou explained it was a preventive action stemming from worries about exhaustion that could have resulted in the Bafana Bafana player being carried off during the victory against TS Galaxy.
Context and Future Implications
The victory positions Pirates to continue their quest for continental success, a goal Ouaddou has highlighted since the start of the season. The Soweto giants, who won the CAF Champions League in 1995, have faced challenges in recent years, including a last-season exit to St. Eloi Lupopo in the preliminary rounds.
With the return leg looming, Pirates face the challenge of maintaining their defensive solidity while capitalizing on home advantage. The away goals rule adds urgency, as the tie could go to penalties if the aggregate score remains level. Source 4 notes that Pirates’ resilience in the final moments of the first leg was critical in securing the win, with the team expertly dealing with pressure from African Stars.
Other South African teams are also in contention, with Durban City securing a 3-1 victory over AS Port Louis in the CAF Confederation Cup second-round first leg. Goals from Haashim Domingo, Gastón Sirino, and Tashreeq Morris gave Eric Tinkler’s side a two-goal advantage heading into the return fixture at Moses Mabhida Stadium. Source 1 highlights that Durban City’s win follows Orlando Pirates’ narrow first-leg advantage, with all four South African sides aiming to progress in their respective competitions. The CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup broadcasts vary depending on the stage, with host clubs sometimes responsible for facilitating the broadcast signal, as noted in Source 1.
Pirates’ upcoming fixtures include the Soweto derby against Kaizer Chiefs on October 31, which Ouaddou acknowledged as a key test. The coach also said the Champions League campaign is critical, noting the MTN8, Carling Knockout, and the CAF Champions League are still available to win this season. Source 5 confirms that despite their MTN8 final loss to Mamelodi Sundowns, Pirates still have four trophies to compete for, highlighting the intensity of their schedule.