Pirates blow as CAF Champions League advantage is wiped out

Orlando Pirates’ anticipated advantage in the CAF Champions League second preliminary round has been nullified after their opponents, African Stars, announced a change of venue for their home leg.

Speculation had suggested that the Namibian champions would once again play their home fixture at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Tshwane, South Africa.

African Stars were forced to host their previous continental match there as Namibia currently lacks a CAF-approved stadium for the competition.

Ouaddou’s hopes go up in smoke

This initially seemed to benefit Pirates, with their coach, Abdeslam Ouaddou, acknowledging the convenience of avoiding extensive travel.

“The good news is we stay in South Africa for both games,” Ouaddou had commented on Saturday as quoted by KickOff. “This is good news, not because we are playing that team… 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.”

Where will Pirates play away CAF CL tie?

However, African Stars have since confirmed that their home match against the Buccaneers will now take place in Botswana.

The club announced that the Botswana National Stadium in Gaborone will serve as the venue, meaning Pirates will have to travel for the first leg after all.

The Soweto giants advanced to this stage of the tournament after securing a 3-1 aggregate victory over Mauritian side La Cure Waves.

Meanwhile, African Stars progressed on the away-goals rule following a 3-3 aggregate draw with Gabonese club Mangasport.