The official complaint lodged by Orlando Pirates against Congolese side
Saint Eloi Lupopo in the CAF Champions League is gaining clarity, with an
insider revealing that the case’s strength lies not with the coach’s
suspension, but with serious questions over player eligibility.
Following a heated preliminary round tie where Lupopo advanced on penalties,
Pirates appealed to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), alleging
three main violations:
- Lupopo’s head coach, Guy Bukasa, was on the bench for the second leg
despite a suspension from youth-level football. - Questions surround the eligibility of two Lupopo players, Ramos
Kashala and Henoc Molia.
While Lupopo has publicly dismissed the complaint, a source with knowledge
of CAF’s processes has confirmed to the Siya crew that Pirates’ case has
significant merit, particularly regarding the players.
Player Registration: The Core of the Case
The insider identified player registration and the use of dual passports as
the most potent part of Pirates’ argument. They explained that CAF’s
Transfer Matching System (TMS) makes it nearly impossible to falsify
registration dates.
“With the CAF Transfer Matching System, interference isn’t possible,” the
source stated. “You can’t alter the time or date a player was registered
unless someone manually enters false information, which would amount to a
serious conspiracy.”
The source emphasized that the central question is how Lupopo will prove the
players in question were registered before CAF’s deadline. If they cannot,
it constitutes a major breach of regulations.
Coach’s Role Deemed Less Impactful
In contrast, the issue of coach Guy Bukasa’s presence on the bench is seen
as less likely to result in Lupopo’s disqualification.
“As for the Bukasa case… even if the coach is found guilty, I don’t
believe it will result in the entire club being suspended or thrown out,”
the insider said. They added that expelling a team for a coach’s bench
violation would set a major precedent.
This view is shared by Lupopo’s spokesperson, Daniel Ndongo, who cited CAF
regulations, arguing that Bukasa’s suspension only applies to youth
competitions.
A Waiting Game with High Stakes
Ndongo has stated that the club is “calm” and has not received any official
communication from CAF, insisting they are preparing for the group stage
“with peace of mind.”
However, the Siya crew’s source cautions that the situation remains “in the
balance,” pending Lupopo’s formal defense. Should CAF rule in Pirates’ favor
on the player eligibility claims, Lupopo’s hard-fought qualification could
be overturned, potentially reinstating the Buccaneers into the competition.
For now, all parties await CAF’s decision, which could deliver one of the
most precedent-setting rulings in the organization’s recent history.
