LIVE: Orlando Pirates vs African Stars: Scores, goals, updates, CAF Champions League result

Orlando Pirates hold a 1-0 lead going into the second leg of the CAF Champions League second preliminary round against Namibia’s African Stars on Friday, 23 October 2026.

Kick-off is at 20:00 SAST at Orlando Stadium in Soweto. A draw is enough for Pirates to reach the group stage, while Stars must win and score at least twice.

Follow Orlando Pirates vs African Stars LIVE here

What each side needs

Tshepang Moremi’s 75th-minute goal won the first leg 1-0 in Gaborone. Pirates go through with a win or a draw. Stars advance only with a win in which they score at least twice. A 1-0 Stars win would leave the tie level on aggregate and away goals and send it to penalties. If the tie is level after 90 minutes, away goals and then penalties decide it, with no extra time.

How Orlando Pirates arrive

Pirates have won four of their last five matches in all competitions, scoring eight and conceding two. Their only defeat was the 2-0 MTN8 final loss to Mamelodi Sundowns on 10 October, and they beat TS Galaxy 3-0 three days later. They are second in the Betway Premiership, unbeaten in eight league matches and one point behind Sundowns, with a Soweto Derby against Kaizer Chiefs at the end of the month.

Kamogelo Sebelebele is out with a meniscus injury. Oswin Appollis, who missed the first leg, is a doubt. Thalente Mbatha is available, with his minutes being managed, and Boitumelo Radiopane’s availability is unclear after he was absent from the first-leg squad. Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou linked his cautious approach to last season’s penalty exit against Saint-Eloi Lupopo, which came despite a 3-0 second-leg win.

How African Stars arrive

Stars lost 3-1 away to Mangasport in the previous round, then won 2-0 in the return to go through. They have scored three goals in three CAF matches, and the Namibia Premiership has yet to start. Lawrence Doeseb is available after recovering from flu, and Joseph Boniface and Dynamo Fredericks were listed as doubtful before the first leg, with no update. Coach Gerald Guther said after the first leg that his team was not “down and out”.

Orlando Pirates vs African Stars Head-to-head

The clubs have met three times, with Pirates winning two and drawing one. Stars have not scored in any of them. That includes the 2018/19 preliminary round, a goalless draw in Soweto and a second-half Justin Shonga winner in Windhoek.

𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡_𝐃𝐚𝐲 🏆 #TotalEnergiesCAFCL 2nd Preliminary Round (2nd Leg) 🆚 @african_StarsFC 🗓 23.10.26 ⏰ 20h00 🎟 https://t.co/K5ZyKxNA82 🏟 Orlando Amstel Arena 📺 @SABC_2 | 🛜 @SABCPlus 📺 @SSFootball {202} | Africa 208 📻 Ukhozi | Lesedi |Motsweding |Thobela | Phalaphala ⚫⚪🔴⭐ #OrlandoPirates #OnceAlways

— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) October 23, 2026

Orlando Pirates vs African Stars: Key players

Moremi scored the first-leg goal and is Pirates’ man to watch. Doeseb was Stars’ main threat in the first leg. Pirates’ striker choice between Evidence Makgopa and Radiopane is one to watch.

Stay with us for updates, goals and the final result from Soweto.