Pirates Aim to finish the Job Against Lioli in Champions League Clash
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After a 3-0 first leg win over Lesotho champions Lioli,Orlando Pirates will look to finish the job at Orlando Stadium in their CAF Champions League first preliminary round clash on Saturday.
The first leg took place in Bloemfontein, as Lesotho did not have a suitable venue to host it. A brace from Tshegofatso Mabasa and an Oswin Appollis strike gave the Buccaneers a commanding lead heading into the second leg.
After a difficult start to the season under new head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, Pirates are firmly in the Betway premiership title race and on course for the CAF Champions League second preliminary round. Furthermore,they already have the MTN8 trophy under their belt after beating Stellenbosch 3-0 after extra time in the final.
In the CAF Champions League, there is no extra time in case of a draw. Fixtures are decided by away goals and if they still cannot be separated, the tie will be decided on penalties.
Should Pirates continue their superb form, it is indeed unlikely to go that far, and they will be determined to ensure that the team’s upward trajectory continues.
Former Morocco international Ouaddou said, via SABC Sport, that he was not entirely satisfied with the performance in the first leg despite the result: “We did a good game, we respected the plan…
“Congratulations to the boys but it’s still only the first half and I can’t be 100% satisfied, as I still think we could have score more goals.
“Especially in the first half,we never found the space to go forward or behind their back-four because of the tactics of the opponent,they played well as well – but I’m happy for the second half as we made changes and brought in some speed on the [wings]. we tried to stretch them to find some space.”
Ouaddou added that his midfielders were too far from striker Tshegofatso Mabasa in the first half, but they solved the problem by bringing Tshepang Moremi.
Orlando Pirates vs. Lioli: CAF Champions League Preview, Lineups & Stats
The Orlando Pirates will face off against Lioli in a CAF Champions League match on September 26, 2025. this preview details the expected lineups, recent form, and key statistics for both teams as they compete for a spot in the next stage of the tournament.
team Lineups
Orlando Pirates
* Goalkeeper: William Huni
* Defense: Mpho Hlephole (LB), Koetle Tšoanelo (CB), Leluma Posholi (CB), Mphale Mphalaole (RB)
* Midfield: Hlompho Kalake (CM), Mokoteli Mohapi (CM), Thalente Mbatha (CM), Sihle Nduli (CM)
* Attack: Tshepang Moremi (LW), Relebohile Mofokeng (AM), Oswin Appollis (RW), Tshegofatso Mabasa (ST)
Lioli
* goalkeeper: William Huni
* Defense: Mpho Hlephole (LB), Koetle Tšoanelo (CB), Leluma Posholi (CB), Mphale Mphalaole (RB)
* Midfield: Hlompho Kalake (CM), Mokoteli Mohapi (CM)
* Attack: Thabang Klaas (LW), Litšepe Marabe (AM), Sihle Maso (RW), Thejane Thejaane (ST)
(Note: Lineups are based on the provided facts and are subject to change.)
Recent Form & Key Stats
Orlando Pirates enter this match in strong form, currently unbeaten in their last eight games across all competitions. /id/301321/thalente-mbatha”>https://www.espn.com/soccer/player//id/301321/thalente-mbatha The team’s recent success also includes a notable run to the CAF Champions League semi-finals last season, their first appearance at that stage as 2013. https://www.cafonline.com/ (CAF Official website)
Key Takeaways
* Orlando Pirates are in excellent form: Eight games unbeaten demonstrates strong momentum.
* Oswin Appollis is a threat: His recent goal-scoring form makes him a player to watch.
* Pirates have Champions League experience: Their semi-final appearance last season shows their capability in the competition.
Looking Ahead
This match presents a significant opportunity for Orlando Pirates to continue their winning streak and advance in the CAF Champions League. Lioli will need to present a strong defensive front and capitalize on any opportunities to disrupt Pirates’ attacking momentum. The game promises to be a competitive encounter with high stakes for both teams.