Orlando Pirates secured their place in the CAF Champions League group stage with a commanding 4-0 victory over African Stars on Friday night, while defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns suffered a shock elimination after drawing 1-1 with Angolan side Wiliete at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
Pirates completed a dominant 5-0 aggregate triumph to reach the group stage for the sixth time in their history, extending their unbeaten record against the Namibian champions to four matches.
The Buccaneers made their home advantage count, with Thapelo Mokobodi opening the scoring in the 17th minute before Evidence Makgopa doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time.
Mpho Padime struck just a minute after the restart to register his first senior career goal, putting the hosts firmly in control. Makgopa then completed his brace in the 77th minute to seal an emphatic victory.
The result extended Pirates’ unbeaten home run in the CAF Champions League to 32 matches, while they maintained their perfect home record across all competitions this season.
The Soweto giants will now turn their attention to the group stage as they continue their pursuit of continental success.
Sundowns suffer early elimination
In contrast, Sundowns’ title defence came to a disappointing end after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Wiliete, with the Angolan outfit progressing to the group stage following a goalless first-leg encounter.
Tashreeq Matthews gave the Brazilians an early advantage in the 11th minute when his effort from the edge of the area took a deflection and found the net.
However, Wiliete responded shortly after half-time when Mabululu capitalised on a loose pass in the Sundowns defensive third before calmly finishing past Ronwen Williams.
Sundowns pushed desperately for a winner, but Wiliete goalkeeper Elber Delgado produced crucial saves to deny Matthews and Brayan Leon as the visitors held on for a historic result.
The elimination ends Sundowns’ run of 12 consecutive CAF Champions League group-stage appearances, with the Pretoria-based club missing out on the competition’s main phase for the first time since 2015.
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It also makes them the first defending champions to be eliminated before the group stage since TP Mazembe in 2016.
For Wiliete, the achievement marks their first-ever qualification for the CAF Champions League group stage in only their second campaign in the competition. Their progression also gives Angola two representatives in the group stage, alongside Petro de Luanda.
The contrasting results leave South African football celebrating Pirates’ progression while reflecting on a major setback for Sundowns, whose continental crown has slipped away far earlier than anticipated.