Football fans are divided following CAF’s decision not to reinstate Orlando Pirates to the CAF Champions League, with some supporters believing the ruling may actually help the club focus on winning the Betway Premiership, a title that has eluded them for nearly 15 years.
Hopes that the Buccaneers might return to the Champions League “through the back door” were ended after CAF dismissed their complaint regarding the two-legged tie against St Eloi Lupopo.
Pirates were knocked out of the competition after a penalty-shootout defeat to the DRC side. In the aftermath of the heated encounter, the club lodged two complaints against Lupopo coach Guy Busaka and two of the team’s players.
However, CAF not only dismissed the appeal but also imposed a R430,000 fine on Orlando Pirates, confirming that the club would not be reinstated into the competition as they had hoped.
Football pundit Mogale Sathekge feels that the ruling is a blessing in disguise for the Buccaneers, as it strengthens their chances of winning the Betway Premiership, which they last won during the 2011/12 season.
“They must just focus on the remaining [PSL] competition that they’ve got available. I think it’s even a blessing in disguise because they have a full squad of players that they can rotate anytime they want, and everything from the back, middle and up front. He said to Soccer Betting News.
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Pirates hold a slight edge over rivals Kaizer Chiefs and Sundowns, who remain involved in continental competitions. The travel demands and congested fixture schedule often take a toll on teams as the season progresses.
The Abdeslam Ouaddou-led team returns to league action on Tuesday against relegation-threatened Chippa United. This is a chance to close the three-point gap against defending champions, Mamelodi Sundowns, who are at the helm of the log.