Orlando Pirates in CAF Champions League 2026/27: Results & Road to the Next Round

Orlando Pirates in CAF Champions League 2026/27 campaign has reached the Second Preliminary Round after the Buccaneers eliminated Mauritian champions La Cure Waves 3-1 on aggregate. A goalless first leg in Mauritius was followed by a 3-1 victory in Soweto, setting up a two-legged tie against Namibia’s African Stars for a place in the group stage.

Pirates now have one qualifying round left before the 16-team group stage. The Second Preliminary Round first legs are scheduled for 16-18 October 2026, with the return fixtures from 23-25 October. African Stars are due to host the opening leg, with Pirates at home in the return, while the exact dates, venues and kick-off times await final confirmation.

This page tracks Orlando Pirates’ CAF Champions League results, their next opponent and the route that remains in the 2026/27 competition.

Date	Stage	Fixture	Result	Status
6 Sep 2026	First Preliminary Round – 1st leg	La Cure Waves vs Orlando Pirates	0-0	Tie level
12 Sep 2026	First Preliminary Round – 2nd leg	Orlando Pirates vs La Cure Waves	3-1	Pirates advance 3-1 agg.
16-18 Oct 2026	Second Preliminary Round – 1st leg	African Stars vs Orlando Pirates	TBC	Upcoming
23-25 Oct 2026	Second Preliminary Round – 2nd leg	Orlando Pirates vs African Stars	TBC	Upcoming

The first round was decided in Soweto after Pirates had been held 0-0 in Port Louis. The away draw left the tie open, but it also meant the Buccaneers returned home knowing a victory would take them into the next round.

READ ALSO: CAF Champions League 2026/27: Sundowns and Orlando Pirates road to the group stage

Pirates had to recover from an early setback in the second leg. Jean Ami capitalised on a defensive mix-up to put La Cure Waves ahead in the sixth minute, but the response came almost immediately as Kabelo Kgositsile finished from close range for his first Orlando Pirates goal.

Kamogelo Sebelebele completed the turnaround in the 25th minute after combining with Kgositsile, before Yanela Mbuthuma headed in the third from a Thapelo Mokobodi corner eight minutes before half-time. Pirates controlled the second half without adding to the scoreline and closed out a 3-1 win on the day and on aggregate.

The result completed the first half of Pirates’ qualification route. African Stars now stand between the South African champions and a place in the CAF Champions League group stage.

READ ALSO: Orlando Pirates club profile, fixtures, results and squad updates

African Stars are the reigning Namibian champions and reached the Second Preliminary Round after overturning a difficult first-leg position against Gabon’s AS Mangasport. They lost 3-1 in Gabon before winning the return match 2-0 at Lucas Moripe Stadium.

Lawrence Doeseb opened the scoring in the 14th minute and Liam April added the second after the break. The tie finished 3-3 on aggregate, with African Stars progressing on the away-goals rule because of the goal they scored in the first leg.

Ronnie Kanalelo’s side therefore arrive in the next round with evidence that they can recover from a two-goal deficit. The tie also carries a personal link for Orlando Pirates winger Deon Hotto, who previously represented African Stars before moving on in his career.

The matchup was already defined by the CAF preliminary-round draw: the winner of AS Mangasport versus African Stars was paired with the winner of La Cure Waves versus Orlando Pirates. Both ties are now complete, leaving African Stars and Pirates to contest the final qualifying round before the group stage.

The requirement is clear: Orlando Pirates must eliminate African Stars over two legs. The aggregate winner of the Second Preliminary Round will qualify for the 16-team CAF Champions League group stage.

CAF’s draw bracket places African Stars at home in the first leg and Orlando Pirates at home in the return. The opening match falls within the 16-18 October window, with the second leg scheduled for 23-25 October. The exact match dates, venues and kick-off times still require final confirmation.

There is no further qualifying round after this tie. Progress would place Pirates among the final 16 clubs, with the group phase beginning at the end of November and running through January.

Stage	Orlando Pirates status	What happens next
First Preliminary Round	Beat La Cure Waves 3-1 on aggregate	Qualified
Second Preliminary Round	Face African Stars	Winner reaches group stage
Group Stage	Not yet qualified	16 clubs; six matchdays

READ ALSO: South African Premiership 2026/27 season preview

Stage	Dates
Second Preliminary Round – first legs	16-18 October 2026
Second Preliminary Round – return legs	23-25 October 2026
Group Stage Matchday 1	27-29 November 2026
Group Stage Matchday 2	4-6 December 2026
Group Stage Matchday 3	18-20 December 2026
Group Stage Matchday 4	8-10 January 2027
Group Stage Matchday 5	15-17 January 2027
Group Stage Matchday 6	22-24 January 2027

For confirmed fixtures, kick-off times, live scores and match events as the competition progresses, supporters can follow SP Score. The CAF Champions League schedule above provides the wider route from the Second Preliminary Round into the group phase.

Yes. Orlando Pirates eliminated La Cure Waves 3-1 on aggregate and have reached the Second Preliminary Round.

Orlando Pirates will face Namibian champions African Stars in the Second Preliminary Round.

The first leg will be played within the 16-18 October 2026 window and the return leg from 23-25 October. Exact fixture details are still to be confirmed.

The first leg ended 0-0 in Mauritius before Pirates won the second leg 3-1 in Soweto, progressing 3-1 on aggregate.

Kabelo Kgositsile, Kamogelo Sebelebele and Yanela Mbuthuma scored in the 3-1 second-leg victory.

Pirates must beat African Stars over two legs in the Second Preliminary Round. The aggregate winner qualifies for the 16-team group stage.

Orlando Pirates CAF Champions League 2026/27 campaign is one qualifying tie away from the group stage after the Buccaneers completed a 3-1 aggregate victory over La Cure Waves. African Stars are next, with the two-legged Second Preliminary Round scheduled across the 16-18 October and 23-25 October windows.

Pirates have cleared the first hurdle, but African Stars arrive after producing a significant comeback of their own against AS Mangasport. The aggregate winner will move directly into the 16-team group stage, where Matchday 1 is scheduled for 27-29 November 2026.