Lupopo Coach Sends Warning to Pirates: “We’re Coming to Finish the Job in Orlando”
St. Eloi Lupopo’s head coach has fired a clear and confident warning shot to Orlando Pirates, declaring that his side “had to stop scoring” during their dominant 3–0 win in Lubumbashi — and that the mission in Johannesburg is far from over.
“My players wanted to score six or more, but I told them to stop when it was 3–0,” the coach said boldly after the match. “We can’t afford to travel to South Africa for fun. Our aim is to finish Pirates there in Orlando Stadium.”
The Congolese tactician struck a balance between pride and purpose, insisting that his team is travelling to South Africa to complete the job, not just to protect a lead.
“I heard we have fans in South Africa,” he added with a grin. “We’ll make them proud.”
Lupopo’s performance — a mix of intensity, tactical discipline, and attacking flair — has put them in firm control of their CAF Champions League tie, and set up a fiery second-leg showdown at Orlando Stadium this weekend.
“They Make It Hell for You” — Moeneeb Josephs on Playing in Congo
Former Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs weighed in on the challenges of playing in the Democratic Republic of Congo, describing it as one of the toughest environments in African football.
Reflecting on his own experience as AmaZulu FC’s goalkeeper coach during a CAF Champions League clash with TP Mazembe, Josephs said the atmosphere was beyond intimidating.
“I’m sure Pirates got bullied,” Josephs said. “When I went there with Benni [McCarthy], we fought with them in the tunnel — while the game was on! They make it hell for you, and I’m sure our boys faced the same. They went through hell.”
He painted a vivid picture of the chaos and hostility that await visiting teams in Lubumbashi, where crowd pressure, gamesmanship and intensity can rattle even the most experienced players.
“If you get a result there, it feels like you’ve won the cup,” Josephs added. “That’s how difficult it is. I think Pirates were a bit shell-shocked — that’s where inexperience showed. Most of them haven’t played in that kind of environment.”
Pirates Face a Monumental Task
The Buccaneers now face a daunting task in the return leg — needing a 4–0 victory at home to overturn the deficit and progress to the group stage of the CAF Champions League.
For Josephs, the challenge is not just tactical, but psychological.
“To survive Lubumbashi, you need more than football — you need character, composure, and experience,” he said.
With their pride wounded and a mountain to climb, Pirates must now dig deep at home if they are to rescue their continental campaign — against a Lupopo side that clearly believes the job is not yet finished.
