Orlando Pirates are 90 minutes away from the group stage of the CAF Champions League. The second leg against African Stars was scheduled for Friday night, 23 October 2026, at the Orlando Amstel Arena in Soweto. Pirates hold a 1 to 0 lead, which is nice to have, but nobody at the club is treating it as job done.
If you typed orlando pirates game today into Google on Friday, you probably wanted the basics fast. So here they are, in a simple format: when it started, where it was played, who was in or out, and how to watch.
Match details at a glance
This table makes the key facts easy to find.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Competition | CAF Champions League qualifying, second round |
| Fixture | Orlando Pirates vs African Stars (second leg) |
| Date | Friday, 23 October 2026 |
| Kick off | 20:00 SAST |
| Venue | Orlando Amstel Arena, Soweto |
| TV | SuperSport TV |
| Streaming | SuperSport App |
How the tie got here
The first leg wasn’t played in South Africa. African Stars shifted their home game to Botswana, so Pirates had to pack their bags and head to Gaborone. That wasn’t ideal, because the Buccaneers had expected to stay home for both matches.
They still got the job done. Pirates won 1 to 0 and came back with a valuable away goal. Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou praised the discipline at the back. He also felt his team had enough early chances to make the scoreline bigger.
Both clubs had to earn their place at this stage. Orlando Pirates F.C beat La Cure Waves 3 to 1 on aggregate. African Stars needed a 3 to 3 aggregate draw to get past Mangasport.
There’s also some history here for the Soweto side. Last season, their CAF run ended at a similar point when St Éloi Lupopo knocked them out on penalties at Orlando Stadium. Fans haven’t forgotten that night, and it helps explain why Ouaddou keeps preaching focus.
Current form: Pirates in better shape
Form is the easiest way to compare the two sides, and it favours the home team.
Pirates have won four of their last five games and lost one. That’s a solid run for a team that needs to stay cool under pressure.
African Stars are in a rough patch. They’ve lost four of their last five and won just one. The first leg defeat only added to the pain, and now they must find a goal in front of a loud Soweto crowd.
The two clubs also met in the CAF Champions League in 2018. The first leg ended 0 to 0, and Pirates won the return 1 to 0 in Namibia. So this year’s first leg followed a familiar script, with Pirates winning by the smallest margin.
Orlando Pirates squad news
The big question mark was Oswin Appollis. The attacker missed the first leg through injury, and his place in the second leg wasn’t confirmed.
There was some good news, though. Appollis was back in training and said he felt no pain when he tested his sprinting. Ouaddou was pleased, but he stayed careful. He likened his players to fast cars that need good care. In simple terms, he doesn’t want to risk a key man while the fixture list is so busy.
The expected Pirates line up was Chaine in goal, with Sigomoshe, Seema, Sibisi and Ndaba in defence. Mokobodi, Mbatha and Masilela were tipped for midfield, with Moremi, Lungu and Mbuthuma up front. Treat that as a guide only, since coaches love changing things close to kick off.
African Stars squad news
African Stars coach Gerald Gunther wants total commitment. He asked his players to fight for every ball and look after each other until the last whistle. He also urged supporters, and the whole of Namibia, to get behind them.
The Namibian champions have little to lose. One goal would bring the tie back to life, so the plan is simple: start fast, stay brave and hope Pirates slip up.
Their expected line up was Kasetura in goal, with Hambira, Dopolo, Tjitemisa and Ketjijere at the back. Kamatuka, April and Nguarambuka were named for midfield, with Stephanus, Masialeti and Gideon in attack.
What to expect from the second leg
The pirates vs african stars tie looked likely to be decided by patience and a few key moments. Here’s what to watch for.
The early minutes
Stars need a goal, so expect them to come out swinging. Pirates should stay organised and avoid silly fouls close to their own box.
The away goal rule is not the story here
Pirates lead on aggregate, so a second goal would make life much easier for them. It would force Stars to score twice. The maths is simple, but football rarely behaves like a calculator.
The role of Appollis
If Appollis plays, even for 20 minutes off the bench, he gives Pirates extra pace and danger. If he doesn’t, the others have to carry the attack. Either way, the coach has made it clear that long term fitness comes first.
Home support
Soweto crowds can lift a team. A loud, passionate Orlando Amstel Arena should help the Buccaneers settle quickly.
One pre match forecast gave the draw the best chance, with a Pirates win and a Stars win less likely. A draw would be enough for the hosts, but forecasts are only guides. The pitch decides everything.
How to watch Pirates vs African Stars
The easiest way to watch Orlando Pirates live is on SuperSport. The game was available on SuperSport TV for DStv viewers, and you could also stream it on the SuperSport App on your phone, tablet or laptop.
Stuck at work or on the road? You can still follow the orlando pirates live score on sports websites and apps. Plenty of fans check the pirates score between meetings, and a quick search for orlando pirates score usually does the trick. The club’s official social media pages also post goals and final results.
For official fixtures, results and competition news, visit the Confederation of African Football website.
Why this match matters
Qualifying for the group stage gives Orlando Pirates more CAF games against strong clubs from across the continent. It also means extra income, bigger exposure and a real boost for players who want to be noticed.
For African Stars, it’s a chance to show what Namibian football can do on a big stage. The odds were against them, but one goal can change a two leg tie completely.
Anyone who follows Orlando Pirates games closely knows how fast momentum can swing. That’s why the coach has asked for calm and focus rather than early celebrations.
Quick summary
Orlando Pirates led the tie 1 to 0 after the first leg. The second leg kicked off at 20:00 SAST on 23 October 2026 at the Orlando Amstel Arena in Soweto. Oswin Appollis was being managed carefully after injury, while African Stars needed goals and were short on recent wins. Viewers could watch on SuperSport TV or the SuperSport App.
Whether you follow Orlando Pirates today on TV, radio or your phone, the message from the camp is simple: stay focused until it’s done. Keep an eye out for the final orlando pirates african stars caf match result, and for what comes next in the CAF Champions League journey.
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