Pirates’ Protest Thrown Out By CAF
Orlando Pirates have had their protest against St Lupopo dismissed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) after challenging the eligibility of Congolese coach Guy Bukasa, who was on the bench when the two clubs met, and a few players.
Pirates were knocked out on penalties by Lupopo in the CAF Champions League second preliminary round earlier this month, in a match marred by some of the worst gamesmanship seen in the competition, aimed at frustrating the South African giants.
Lupopo went on to qualify for the Champions League group stages.
Pirates subsequently lodged a complaint over the eligibility of players Wanet Kashala and Molia Lihozasia, although Lupopo responded by insisting the duo were “duly registered.”
The status of coach Bukasa was also raised, as he had been sent off while coaching the Congo U/20 side against Amajita during the U/20 Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 in Morocco.
Bukasa received a six-match CAF ban across all CAF competitions, which Pirates argued should have prevented him from being on the bench during their Champions League clash.
However, CAF’s Club Competitions Committee rejected all aspects of Pirates’ protest.
The CAF rules in favor of FC St Lupopo against Orlando Pirates FC!
Football Club Saint Lupopo has secured a decisive administrative victory following the decision handed down by the African Football Confederation (CAF).
The latter rejected the complaint from the South Africans of Orlando Pirates and confirmed the eligibility of players Molia and Kashala, who were duly registered.
The African Football Confederation (CAF) also specified that the presence of coach Guy Bukasa on the bench during the match cannot be subject to a sanction against Football Club Saint Eloi Lupopo. However, the Disciplinary Jury has confirmed the six-match suspension of coach Guy Bukasa Misakabu for the U-20 affair, accompanied by a fine.
Furthermore, following the complaint from our club against Orlando Pirates, the CAF has imposed financial sanctions on the South African club: • $5,000 for depriving FC Saint Eloi Lupopo of the necessary accreditations. • $20,000 for spraying chemical products in the locker rooms of our team.
This decision reinforces the victory obtained on the field and strengthens the position of our club in the competition. FC Saint-Éloi Lupopo will continue to defend its interests with the utmost determination.
Lupopo have already arrived in South Africa ahead of their Champions League group-stage clash against Mamelodi Sundowns at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday.
