Orlando Pirates are 90 minutes away from the group stage of the 2026/27 CAF Champions League. The Buccaneers host Namibian champions African Stars in the second leg of their second preliminary round tie at the Orlando Amstel Arena in Soweto tonight, Friday, 23 October 2026. Kick-off is at 20:00.
Pirates take a 1-0 lead into the match after winning the first leg in Botswana. A win or a draw will send them through to Africa’s premier club competition. After last season’s early exit, the club is determined not to fall at the final hurdle again.
Match Details: Orlando Pirates vs African Stars
- Competition: CAF Champions League, second preliminary round, second leg
- Date: Friday, 23 October 2026
- Kick-off: 20:00
- Venue: Orlando Amstel Arena (Orlando Stadium), Soweto
- First leg: African Stars 0-1 Orlando Pirates
- TV: SuperSport PSL and SABC 2
- Tickets: available online through OpenTickets
What Pirates Need To Qualify
The Bucs lead 1-0 on aggregate. Here’s how the tie can play out:
- A Pirates win or any draw: Pirates qualify for the group stage.
- An African Stars win by one goal: the tie is level on aggregate and goes to a penalty shootout.
- An African Stars win by two or more goals: African Stars qualify.
How Pirates Won The First Leg
Pirates beat African Stars 1-0 in the first leg on Saturday, 17 October, at the Botswana National Stadium in Gaborone. The match was played in Botswana because Namibia’s stadiums don’t currently meet CAF standards.
Winger Tshepang Moremi scored the only goal in the 75th minute. Pirates also kept a second straight clean sheet in this campaign.
The win came at a cost. Captain Nkosinathi Sibisi was injured in the second half and replaced by Sbangani Zulu, so his fitness will be watched closely. Many fans also missed parts of the first leg because of broadcast problems and had to follow the match on the club’s social media.
ALSO READ: Soweto Derby 2026: Pirates Host Chiefs At FNB Stadium On 31 October As Both Chase Sundowns
Pirates’ Road So Far
- First preliminary round: Pirates beat La Cure Waves of Mauritius 3-1 on aggregate, winning the home leg 3-1.
- Second preliminary round, first leg: they beat African Stars 1-0 away.
- Second preliminary round, second leg: tonight, at home.
Learning From Last Season
The Bucs are especially determined because of last season. In 2025/26, they were knocked out in the second preliminary round by Congolese side FC Saint-Éloi Lupopo, missing the group stage.
That disappointment followed a strong 2024/25 campaign, when Pirates reached the CAF Champions League semi-finals before losing to eventual winners Pyramids FC of Egypt.
“It’s important that this year we get into the group stages. It’s a big, big target,” coach Abdeslam Ouaddou said earlier this month. “We took a lesson from last season.”
Ouaddou has called Pirates “a giant in Africa”, saying the club, its fans and its partners are counting on the team in this competition. Defender Tapelo Xoki said the squad had learnt from last season’s exit and called tonight “a big game for the club”.
What To Expect
Pirates expect African Stars to defend deep and try to frustrate them, hoping to sneak a goal and take the tie to penalties. Ouaddou has called for patience and intelligent movement to break them down.
Pirates are in good form. They beat TS Galaxy 3-0 in the league last week, and they’ll have home support behind them in Soweto. An early goal would put Stars in a very difficult position, because they would then need to score three times to go through.
What’s At Stake
- A place among Africa’s top 16 clubs: the winners of the second preliminary round advance to the group stage, which starts at the end of November 2026.
- Prize money: this season’s CAF Champions League winner will receive a record US$6 million, and reaching the group stage also brings significant prize money.
- Pride: as the reigning Betway Premiership champions, Pirates want to prove they can compete with Africa’s elite.
A Busy Week For The Buccaneers
Tonight’s match starts a demanding stretch:
- Friday, 23 October: vs African Stars, CAF Champions League, at Orlando Amstel Arena, 20:00
- Tuesday, 27 October: vs Milford FC, Carling Knockout Cup last 16, at Orlando Amstel Arena, 19:00
- Saturday, 31 October: vs Kaizer Chiefs, Soweto Derby, at FNB Stadium, 15:30
How The Other South African Clubs Are Doing In Africa
- Mamelodi Sundowns drew 0-0 away to Wiliete of Angola in the first leg of their Champions League second preliminary round. They host the return leg this weekend.
- Kaizer Chiefs lost 1-0 away to Red Arrows of Zambia in the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round. They need to overturn that deficit at home in Johannesburg this weekend.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Time Is Orlando Pirates vs African Stars?
The match kicks off at 20:00 on Friday, 23 October 2026, at the Orlando Amstel Arena in Soweto.
What Do Orlando Pirates Need To Qualify?
Pirates lead 1-0 on aggregate, so a win or a draw will take them into the CAF Champions League group stage.
Where Can I Watch Orlando Pirates vs African Stars?
The match is live on SuperSport PSL and SABC 2.
Who Scored In The First Leg?
Tshepang Moremi scored the only goal in the 75th minute as Pirates won 1-0 in Gaborone, Botswana.
Why Did Pirates Miss The Group Stage Last Season?
Pirates were knocked out in the second preliminary round of the 2025/26 CAF Champions League by FC Saint-Éloi Lupopo of the DR Congo.
When Does The CAF Champions League Group Stage Start?
The group stage starts at the end of November 2026.
