Orlando Pirates set CAF Champions League group-stage target

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says reaching the CAF Champions League group stages is a key objective this season as his side prepare to face Namibia’s African Stars.

Pirates begin their continental campaign against African Stars on Saturday, with the first leg offering the Soweto club a chance to establish an advantage before the return fixture.

The Buccaneers failed to reach the group stages last season after being eliminated by FC Saint-Eloi Lupopo of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Ouaddou says that disappointment has given the squad extra motivation to go further this time.

“It’s important this year to get in the group stages. Last season, unfortunately, we were knocked out by Lupopo, and it’s a big target this season,” Ouaddou told the media.

“So, we took a lesson from last season. It will be important to come back with a very good result at home in order to get an opportunity to qualify for the second game.”

Ouaddou was speaking on Wednesday at the launch of the 2026 Carling Knockout Cup in Fourways, Johannesburg, where he also outlined the preparations being made for the opening CAF Champions League assignment.

Pirates studying limited information on African Stars

Pirates face an added challenge in preparing for the tie because African Stars have not yet started their domestic league campaign.

That means there is limited recent footage of the Namibian side available to analyse. However, Ouaddou said his technical staff had already begun collecting material and studying their opponents ahead of Saturday’s match.

“It’s difficult, you know, because they didn’t start the league, but at least we’ll be able to have some footage, and we already started to study the team,” he added.

The opening encounter will give Pirates the opportunity to use home advantage and secure a result that strengthens their position before the second leg.

Qualification for the group stages remains firmly at the centre of the club’s continental ambitions, with Pirates determined to avoid another early exit and progress in Africa’s premier club competition.