Orlando Pirates’ journey in the CAF Champions League came to a dramatic and heartbreaking conclusion at home against Congolese side Saint-Eloi Lupopo. Despite a commanding 3-0 victory in the second leg, the Sea Robbers were eliminated 5-4 in a penalty shootout, with defender Dieumerci Mukoko Amale playing a central and controversial role in the tie’s outcome....Click to Read More >>➤
The Buccaneers had fought back valiantly, with Masindi Nemtajela opening the scoring in the 39th minute. However, the match’s momentum shifted on a bizarre and contentious incident. As Nemtajela prepared to restart play, Amale aggressively charged in, wrestling the ball away before pressing his forehead against the Pirates player in a clear act of provocation.
The situation escalated when teammate Tshepang Moremi intervened, shoving Amale. The Lupopo defender’s reaction was immediate and theatrical. He collapsed to the ground as if struck with significant force, clutching his face and rolling in an exaggerated manner. With Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology not available until the competition’s quarterfinal stage, Nigerien official Mohamed Ali Moussa was left to make a critical decision based solely on his perception.
The referee’s subsequent call incensed the home crowd. Instead of sanctioning Amale for his instigation, he showed a red card to Lupopo’s Chris Maniania. Moremi was also sent off for his push, leaving Orlando Pirates to continue the match with ten men. Amale, having successfully manipulated the situation, remained on the pitch and continued to engage in provocative gestures, further antagonizing the supporters.
When the final whistle blew and the match proceeded to penalties, Saint-Eloi Lupopo held their nerve. They triumphed in the shootout, sending the Buccaneers crashing out of the CAF Champions League. Amale celebrated the victory exuberantly, his antics ensuring he became a figure the Orlando Pirates faithful will not soon forget.
Who is Dieumerci Mukoko Amale?
The man at the heart of the controversy is a 27-year-old right-back from Kinshasa, DR Congo. Born on July 17, 1998, Amale joined Saint-Eloi Lupopo just this past August from Moroccan club Berrechid. He is an established international, having earned 23 caps for the DR Congo national team.
His career has been primarily spent in North and Central Africa. Before his stint with Berrechid, he played for AS Vita, DC Motema Pembe, and Les Aigles in the Congolese LinaFoot, as well as Difaâ El Jadida in Morocco. His most productive season statistically was the 2020/21 campaign with El Jadida, where he made 26 appearances and registered three assists.
Amale’s position as a right-back is a relatively recent development. Out of 93 recorded matches at the highest level, he has played 45 times as a central defender. This season marks his debut in the CAF Champions League, following 13 appearances in the secondary CAF Confederation Cup over three years with his former Moroccan club. While perhaps not the most technically gifted opponent Orlando Pirates has ever faced, his impactful performance in this CAF Champions League qualifier has certainly cemented his place in the memory of the Buccaneers’ fanbase. The dramatic events in Soweto underscore the fine margins and intense emotions that define the CAF Champions League, where a single moment of controversy can alter the fate of a club’s continental ambitions. ...Click to Read More >>➤
