Orlando Pirates: Millions Bucs stand to lose if they suffer early Champions League exit

Orlando Pirates are staring at the possibility of ending their CAF Champions League campaign at the preliminary round stage and that will come at a big financial loss.

Pirates were thrashed 3-0 by DR Congo side St Eloi Lupopo in their Champions League second preliminary round first leg in Lubumbashi on Sunday and have a mountain to climb in the return match at Orlando Stadium.

The Buccaneers will need to secure a 4-0 win to make it to the group stages of the continental competition for the second successive year, otherwise, they risk suffering an embarrassing early elimination for a team that reached the semi-final last season.

A lot of money at stake for Pirates

If Pirates fail to overcome the Congolese side, then they will miss out on the big reward that comes with making it to the CAF Champions League group stages.

Group stage qualification attracts $700,000 (R12.1 million) for each team, meaning a lot is at stake for Pirates and Lupopo who are looking for more than just bragging rights.

It would be a blow for the Buccaneers to lose R12 million early in the season given they pocketed a whooping $1.2 million (R20.8 million) for reaching the semi-final last season.

How much have Bucs made so far?

Abdeslam Ouaddou’s men therefore have to pull off one of their best performances in recent years to save themselves from the embarrassment of exiting early while helping boost the club’s coffers as the club has made just $100,000 (R1.7 million) from the preliminary round.

Pirates had a dream campaign last year and looked to have started well this term when they beat Lioli from Lesotho 7-0 on aggregate to in the first preliminary round to land the Congolese club, which looked like a favourable draw on paper until they faced them.

The second leg will be played at Orlando Stadium on Saturday October 25.