Orlando Pirates are about to discover whether their impressive domestic start can translate into continental success, with six major challenges awaiting the Buccaneers as their CAF Champions League campaign gets underway.
The reigning South African champions begin their 2026/27 CAF Champions League journey this week, with Mauritian champions La Cure Waves standing between Orlando Pirates and the next stage of the competition.
It may appear to be a favourable draw for the Soweto giants, but there is considerably more at stake than simply getting past their first opponent.
Pirates are attempting to establish themselves as one of Africa’s leading clubs again, while new head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou is still shaping a squad that has undergone significant changes.
The departures of Relebohile Mofokeng and Patrick Maswanganyi have left the coach with the difficult task of rebuilding Pirates’ attacking identity, while the club’s involvement in the Betway Premiership, MTN8 and CAF Champions League is creating an increasingly demanding schedule.
The first leg against La Cure Waves is scheduled for 6 September 2026 in Mauritius, with the return leg following later in September.
For Pirates, this is more than the start of another competition.
It is the beginning of a continental examination.
Table of Contents
1. The first test: handling the La Cure Waves challenge
The immediate challenge is obvious.
Pirates have to get past La Cure Waves, the Mauritian champions who will be making their debut in the CAF Champions League.
The two clubs were drawn against each other in the opening preliminary round, with the first leg taking place in Mauritius. Pirates will then have the opportunity to finish the job in the return fixture.
On paper, Pirates have considerably more continental experience.
The Buccaneers are former African champions and have regularly competed in CAF competitions, while La Cure Waves are entering this level of continental football for the first time.
But that experience only matters if Pirates use it properly.
The first leg could be particularly important.
An away victory would immediately put Pirates in a commanding position, while a difficult result would create pressure before the second meeting.
The priority for Ouaddou will therefore be to ensure his players approach the match with the right mentality.
2. The second test: avoiding complacency
Perhaps the biggest danger for Pirates is not their opponent’s reputation.
It is their own expectations.
There has already been considerable discussion about how big the difference in experience and resources is between the two teams. La Cure Waves coach Jerome Thomas has even acknowledged that his side is not at the same level as Pirates.
That may sound encouraging for the Buccaneers.
But it also creates a potential trap.
Pirates cannot afford to approach the tie as though qualification is automatic.
Preliminary rounds in African club competitions have a habit of producing uncomfortable matches. Travel, unfamiliar conditions, pitch conditions, weather, tactical approaches and home support can all influence a result.
For La Cure Waves, this is a historic occasion.
For Pirates, it is another step towards a much bigger objective.
That difference in motivation could make the opening stages more complicated than expected.
Ouaddou will therefore need his players to remain professional from the opening whistle.
3. The third test: rebuilding without Mofokeng and Maswanganyi
This may be the most significant footballing challenge facing the new Pirates coach.
The Buccaneers lost two important attacking players during the transfer window in Relebohile Mofokeng and Patrick Maswanganyi.
Their departures have forced Ouaddou to rethink how Pirates create opportunities and attack opponents. The coach has acknowledged that rebuilding takes time, saying he is not a magician and that patience is required while the squad develops a new identity.
That process becomes even more important in the Champions League.
Domestic opponents may be familiar with Pirates’ style, but continental football presents different tactical problems.
Pirates will need players who can create chances when matches become tight.
They will also need attacking players who are capable of making the difference in away games.
One player who has already attracted attention is Ghampani Lungu.
Ouaddou has praised the Zambian international’s early impact at Pirates, saying the winger has quickly become an important contributor following his arrival.
If Lungu can continue producing, his performances could become increasingly important to Pirates’ continental ambitions.
4. The fourth test: managing a congested schedule
Pirates’ CAF Champions League campaign is arriving at an extremely busy point in their season.
The Buccaneers are competing in the Betway Premiership, the MTN8 and now the CAF Champions League.
That means Ouaddou has to manage his squad carefully.
Pirates are scheduled to play Kruger United in the league on 1 September before their continental campaign gets underway.
The MTN8 is also an important part of the club’s season, with Pirates having already reached the final after their convincing victory over Sekhukhune United.
The danger is obvious.
A team cannot rely on the same starting XI every few days without eventually paying a physical price.
That makes squad depth one of Pirates’ most important assets.
Ouaddou will need to rotate players without weakening the team significantly.
That is easier said than done.
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5. The fifth test: getting the best from the new-look squad
The Champions League could also provide opportunities for players who have been waiting for their chance.
One of the interesting developments at Pirates has been the emergence of younger players and squad members competing for more regular involvement.
Simphiwe Selepe, for example, recently received an opportunity to start in the MTN8 and made the most of it during Pirates’ 3-0 victory over Sekhukhune United.
Teenage midfielder Mpho Padime has also attracted attention after making an impressive cameo, with Ouaddou encouraging him to enjoy his football while giving him tactical freedom.
Those developments could become extremely valuable during the Champions League campaign.
Pirates will need more than 11 reliable players if they want to compete across three competitions.
They need a squad.
And continental football could be the perfect environment for some of these younger players to demonstrate whether they are ready for a bigger responsibility.
6. The sixth test: proving Pirates belong among Africa’s elite
This is ultimately the biggest challenge.
Pirates have a proud continental history, but history does not win modern Champions League matches.
The Buccaneers were African champions in 1995 and later reached the Champions League final in 2013. Their record means they are one of South Africa’s most recognisable clubs on the continent.
But the current generation has to create its own legacy.
CAF has already identified Orlando Pirates as one of the clubs worth watching in the 2026/27 competition. The club enters the tournament as South African champions after an impressive domestic campaign.
That brings expectations.
Pirates should be aiming for more than qualification from the opening rounds.
They should want to reach the group stage, compete against Africa’s biggest clubs and eventually challenge for the trophy.
But first, they must prove they can navigate the qualifying rounds.
7. What happens if Pirates advance?
If Pirates eliminate La Cure Waves, another challenge awaits.
Their potential second preliminary-round opponents are AS Mangasport of Gabon and African Stars of Namibia.
That means the Buccaneers must win another two-legged tie before securing a place in the group stage.
There is therefore no room for a slow start.
The first round is not simply an opportunity to get some continental minutes into the players’ legs.
It is part of a qualification process that demands consistency.
Pirates will need to manage two-leg football intelligently.
That means understanding when to attack, when to protect a lead and how to handle pressure across 180 minutes.
The group stage is the prize.
But reaching it requires Pirates to negotiate the preliminary rounds first.
8. Can Orlando Pirates make a serious CAF Champions League run?
There are reasons for optimism.
Pirates are the reigning South African champions.
They have already shown strong domestic form.
They have an exciting group of younger players.
They have added players such as Lungu who are making an immediate impact.
And they have a coach who is determined to establish his own footballing identity.
But there are also legitimate questions.
Can the new-look attack replace the creativity lost through the departures of Mofokeng and Maswanganyi?
Can Ouaddou rotate his squad without weakening the team?
Can Pirates maintain their domestic form while travelling across Africa?
And perhaps most importantly, can the Buccaneers handle the pressure that comes with being expected to win?
Those questions will not be answered by one match.
But the first Champions League tie should give supporters an early indication of where this Pirates side stands.
The club has the history.
It has the ambition.
It has the domestic championship to prove that it can compete at the highest level in South Africa.
Now comes the continental test.
La Cure Waves are waiting in Mauritius, and Pirates’ journey begins with one clear objective: take the first step towards bringing the CAF Champions League back to Soweto.
The road will be long, and there will be tougher opponents waiting if Pirates progress.
But if Ouaddou can successfully navigate these six challenges, the Buccaneers could become one of the most interesting South African teams to watch in this season’s CAF Champions League.
9. Frequently Asked Questions
When do Orlando Pirates begin their CAF Champions League campaign?
Orlando Pirates begin their 2026/27 CAF Champions League campaign against Mauritian champions La Cure Waves in the first preliminary round. The first leg is scheduled for 6 September 2026 in Mauritius, with the return fixture taking place later in September.
Who will Orlando Pirates face if they beat La Cure Waves?
If Pirates advance, they could face AS Mangasport of Gabon or African Stars of Namibia in the second preliminary round. Pirates must successfully negotiate that round as well to reach the CAF Champions League group stage.
Can Orlando Pirates reach the CAF Champions League group stage?
Yes. Pirates must first eliminate La Cure Waves and then win their second preliminary-round tie. Successfully navigating both rounds would secure their place in the group stage of the 2026/27 CAF Champions League.
Who is Orlando Pirates’ coach for the 2026/27 CAF Champions League?
Abdeslam Ouaddou is in charge of Orlando Pirates. The Moroccan coach is overseeing the club’s title defence while also preparing the Buccaneers for their return to Africa’s premier club competition.
Have Orlando Pirates ever won the CAF Champions League?
Yes. Orlando Pirates won the African Champions Cup, the predecessor to the modern CAF Champions League, in 1995. They also reached the CAF Champions League final in 2013, making them one of South Africa’s most experienced clubs in continental competition.
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