Well-known radio figure Tbo Touch has explained why Orlando Pirates experienced a 3-0 loss to Congolese team Saint-Eloi Lupopo in the first leg of the CAF Champions League preliminary qualifiers.
For Orlando Pirates to advance to the next stage, they must not only overcome the 3-0 deficit but do so with at least a 4-0 win at home when Lupopo returns to South Africa for the second leg on Saturday, 25 October 2025. Fans are still discussing the Buccaneers’ chances of progressing, while Tbo Touch is shedding light on the failures observed in Lubumbashi.
Tbo Touch outlines reasons for Pirates’ defeat
On The Touchdown Show aired on Metro FM, Tbo Touch stated that the loss had deeper implications beyond just the match. He described the circumstances that the Orlando Pirates players encountered while competing against Saint-Eloi Lupopo. Tbo Touch implied that the players were mentally compromised prior to the game.
He indicated that research revealed that the players had been cautioned about landmines present on the Stade Kibassa Maliba pitch before the game commenced.
“I did enough research, my team told me they were warned in the locker rooms that landmines were on the field. How are you going to play knowing that at any given time, you might set it off? Everybody is going around saying Orlando Pirates lost 3-0. Do research,” Tbo Touch said.
Tbo Touch asserted that the challenges began well before the match itself. He alleged that the Buccaneers’ pre-game routine had been disrupted. He claimed that the players competed on an empty stomach as their hotel failed to serve breakfast as per their usual arrangements.
“First of all, when they got to the hotel, they did not even have their regular breakfast. They did not have their regular breakfast. The nutritionist warned them. Told them guys we will have to go play hungry,” Tbo Touch added.
Aside from the lack of nourishment, Tbo Touch claimed that the weather conditions in Lubumbashi were also unfavorable for soccer. He argued that the match officials should have postponed the game, similar to the cancellation of the Cape Town Marathon due to adverse weather.
