What African Stars’ Lyema Dopolo makes of Orlando Pirates clash

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October 13, 2026 6:00 pm Related News: Caf Champions League | Orlando Pirates

Former SuperSport United defender Lyema Dopolo says Namibian champions African Stars need no motivation ahead of their CAF Champions League clash with Orlando Pirates, describing the encounter as the kind of game every footballer wants to play.

The South African defender, who joined Stars in July, will face familiar opposition when Stars host the Buccaneers on Saturday, 17 October, in the first leg of their second preliminary round tie. The Windhoek giants host the tie at the National Stadium in Gaborone, Botswana.

The return leg follows in Johannesburg a week later, with a place in the group stages at stake.

Pirates head into the continental assignment following a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8 final. African Stars, meanwhile, will look to build on their successful passage past Gabonese side AS Mangasport.

For Dopolo, the prospect of testing himself against the Soweto giants brings excitement and a clear sense of the challenge awaiting his team.

“It was a great feeling knowing that our next opponents are going to be one of the greatest teams on the continent – Orlando Pirates,” Dopolo told FARPost. “We know what Orlando Pirates are about. We know what they’ve done; it’s a big institution. It won’t be an easy one. It’s the kind of game every footballer wants to play.”

Dopolo’s South African background has also made the fixture a talking point among his teammates. However, he believes Pirates’ reputation alone provides enough incentive for everyone in the African Stars squad.

“They [teammates] mentioned the game, with me being South African. Everyone is watching Pirates,” he explained. “They know what we’re going to come up against. Those are the type of games where you don’t need motivation. It’s motivation in itself to play Pirates.”

Stars must negotiate two legs against the Buccaneers to secure their place in the CAF Champions League group stages. Meanwhile, Dopolo says that support from his teammates and the technical team has helped him settle into life at African Stars, and their continental progress has provided an encouraging start.

“The transition was made easier by teammates and the technical team. The progression in the cup has been good. We got over our first hurdle, the second will be Orlando Pirates, and it’s not going to be an easy game.”

Stars reached this stage after recovering from a 3-1 away defeat to Mangasport with a 2-0 victory at Lucas Moripe Stadium.

Reflecting on the away encounter, Dopolo pointed to the demanding weather conditions and the challenge of starting their competitive campaign. “What made the away fixture difficult was the conditions – hot and humid – and it was the first official game,” he said.

The match at Lucas Moripe offered the defender more familiar surroundings, as he previously played at the venue during his time with SuperSport United.

“It was good to be back home; I played DDC and CAF Confed with SuperSport at Lucas Moripe.”

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