Orlando Pirates FC will open their 2026-27 Caf Champions League campaign against La Cure Waves SC of Mauritius, following Thursday’s draw. The Buccaneers, who secured their place in Africa’s elite club competition by winning the 2025-26 Betway Premiership, are heavy favorites against the semi-professional island side.
What’s the matchup like?
La Cure Waves, champions of Mauritius’s National Super League, will pose little threat to Pirates, who boast a rich history in continental competitions. The Buccaneers won the African Cup of Champions Clubs in 1995 and reached the Champions League final in 2013. Last season, they fell in the semifinals to eventual winners Pyramids FC of Egypt.
When will the games be played?
The two-legged first-round ties are scheduled for September 4-6 and September 11-13. Pirates, currently sitting second in the Premier Soccer League with 3 points from one game (1W-0D-0L) and a +2 goal difference, will aim to start their continental campaign with a convincing win.
What’s next for Pirates?
If they advance, Pirates could face either Angola’s Wiliete de Benguela or Seychelles’s Foresters Mont Fleuri FC in the second round. Meanwhile, Mamelodi Sundowns, last season’s Champions League winners, received a bye in the opening round and will enter in the next phase.
