FC Saint Eloi Lupopo head coach Guy Bukasa has revealed he was genuinely taken aback by Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou’s decision to start the decisive CAF Champions League tie without a traditional center-forward.
The Strikerless Set-up
The second-leg match at Orlando Stadium was a thrilling encounter, with Pirates mounting a spectacular comeback after trailing by a daunting 3-0 aggregate deficit from the first leg. Goals from Masindi Nemtajela, substitute Yanela Mbuthuma, and Oswin Appollis levelled the tie at 3-3, forcing a penalty shootout where Lupopo ultimately prevailed 5-4.
Read: Pirates Coach Ouaddou Backs Mbuthuma to Overcome Penalty Heartbreak
Speaking after the high-stakes match, Bukasa admitted that the Buccaneers’ starting eleven caught him off guard. Ouaddou opted to omit both conventional strikers, Tshegofatso Mabasa and Mbuthuma, in favour of a more fluid attacking setup.
“Honestly, yes, I was surprised,” Bukasa told reporters. Despite the unexpected lineup, Bukasa noted that the tactical switch didn’t fundamentally alter Pirates’ possession-based approach. “But it didn’t change much in their organisation. They kept the ball, tried to use the width and come inside to create spaces close to them.”
Pirates’ Adaptations Still Posed a Threat
Bukasa credited Pirates for adapting during the game, particularly their willingness to shoot from distance, which started to cause his disciplined Lupopo defence problems as the tie wore on.
“When they decided to shoot from distance, they found some solutions,” he added. “We knew they would continue to keep the ball with players like [Oswin] Appollis and [Tshepang] Moremi doing the same things.”
Pirates eventually introduced Mbuthuma in the second half, and the striker immediately repaid the faith by scoring the Buccaneers’ crucial second goal. Nevertheless, Mabasa remained on the bench for the entire game.
Bukasa concluded his assessment by acknowledging the inherent danger of Pirates’ adapted structure: “So yes, I was surprised by the decision to play without a real number nine, but it didn’t make them less dangerous.”
What’s Next for the Buccaneers
Despite the agonizing penalty defeat, Pirates’ 3-0 win in regulation time demonstrated immense character and fighting spirit.
That being said, the elimination from the CAF Champions League means their continental campaign is over—unlike previous years, there is no relegation to the CAF Confederation Cup at this stage of the competition.
The Buccaneers will now redirect their full focus to domestic silverware, concentrating on the Carling Knockout, the Betway Premiership, and the Nedbank Cup.