Pirates’ expected advantage gone as CAF opponents make venue call

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Orlando Pirates will travel to Botswana for their CAF CL game against African Stars. (Photo: Gallo Images)

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Pirates’ expected advantage gone as CAF opponents make venue call

Sep 16, 2026 – 05:26 pm
By KO Journalist

Orlando Pirates will no longer have the potential home-ground advantage they appeared set to enjoy against African Stars in the CAF Champions League second preliminary round.

There had been speculation that African Stars could once again use the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Tshwane after hosting their previous CAF Champions League home match there.

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Namibia currently does not have a CAF-approved venue for the competition, forcing African Stars to stage their first-round home game in South Africa.

That appeared to work in Pirates’ favour, with coach Abdeslam Ouaddou admitting that staying in South Africa would have been good news from a travelling perspective.

“The good news is we stay in South Africa for both games, this is good news, not good news because we are playing that team,” Ouaddou said.

“It is another game, we have to respect all the opponents. For us to stay here is less kilometres to travel because to get to West Africa, it is far, you need two to three days, and you still have to prepare for the league game.”

However, African Stars have now confirmed that their home fixture against the Buccaneers will instead be played in Botswana, meaning Pirates will have to travel for the first leg.

According to the club, the Botswana National Stadium in Gaborone will host their game against the Sea Robbers.

The match is scheduled for Saturday, October 17 at 15:00 Namibian time, meaning Pirates will now have to make the trip to Botswana.

The Soweto giants reached this second preliminary stage after beating Mauritian side La Cure Waves 3-1 on aggregate.

African Stars, meanwhile, progressed after a 3-3 aggregate draw against Gabonese outfit Mangasport, advancing on the away-goals rule.

THE DATE IS SET. THE VENUE IS CONFIRMED.Stars will face @orlandopirates at the Botswana National Stadium in Gaborone, Botswana.Sat, 17 OctBotswana National Stadium, Gaborone15:00 Namibian Time#StarStayStars #CAFChampionsLeague #AfricanStars pic.twitter.com/3ceexTVOzx