African Stars choose Botswana’s Lucas Moripe Stadium to host Orlando Pirates in CAF Champions League

Namibian side African Stars have decided against hosting Orlando Pirates in South Africa for their CAF Champions League second preliminary round encounter.

African Stars do not currently have a CAF-approved venue in Namibia and had initially considered using the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria as an alternative home ground for the continental fixture.

However, with the draw handing them a meeting with South African giants Orlando Pirates, the Namibian club have opted for a different solution by moving the game to neighbouring Botswana.

African Stars have chosen the National Stadium in Botswana as the venue for the highly anticipated clash, meaning they will now host the reigning South African champions outside their home country but closer to home.

The decision to avoid South Africa is understood to give the Namibian outfit a more neutral setting for the encounter, particularly with Pirates being one of the biggest clubs in the region.

The fixture is expected to attract significant attention given the stature of both clubs and the importance of the second preliminary round tie, with the winner advancing in the CAF Champions League.

African Stars will be hoping to make the most of their adopted home advantage in Botswana as they seek to overcome Pirates and continue their continental campaign.

For Orlando Pirates, the trip to Botswana will present another challenge as they look to navigate the preliminary rounds and secure progress in Africa’s premier inter-club competition.