Revealed: What Ouaddou was told before Pirates’ 3-0 loss to Lupopo in CAF CL

Chippa United coach Luc Eymael has detailed why it was going to be tough for Orlando Pirates to beat St Eloi Lupopo in Lubumbashi, and the discussion he had with Abdeslam Ouaddou. 

The Sea Robbers suffered a 3-0 loss against the Democratic Republic of Congo outfit in the first leg of the CAF Champions League's second preliminary round.

It was a shock to the majority of South Africans considering the quality the Soweto giants had on the pitch. 

Nevertheless, Eymael, who coached Lupopo last season before opting against extending his deal, insists getting a win in Congo was always going to be a tall order. 

Lupopo were solid

“I knew it would be difficult because Lupopo is a solid team. If I tell you the statistics now, we played 38 games, 27 wins, six defeats, five draws, and we kept 26 clean sheets. We scored 55 goals and 15 goals conceded only last season,” the Belgian told KickOff.

“It shows how the team was solid defensively, and we could score a good number of goals. I was shocked by the 3-0, but at the end of day, I said to Mr. Ouaddou that the qualification will depend on the result they will get in Lupopo. I know the fans are the 13th man there.

“Don't forget that with me, we beat [TP] Mazembe two times 1-0 and we drew 0-0. We won at the pitch of Mazembe, who had never lost in the league (at home) for 15 years. We did a big performance. You know when you beat Mazembe two times, the third time you draw 0-0, it means you're a solid team,” he concluded.

What awaits Pirates

On Wednesday, Bucs host Polokwane City in a tough Premier Soccer League outing to be staged at the Orlando Stadium.

Having won the last five league matches without conceding a goal, coach Abdeslam Ouaddou is optimistic of getting another victory to boost his team's morale ahead of Saturday's massive task.

They will host Lupopo, optimistic of changing the outcome of the first leg and making the CAF Champions League group stage.