Orlando Pirates Fail to Breach African Minnows in CAF Champions League

Orlando Pirates were held to a frustrating 0–0 draw by Mauritian side La Cure Waves in the CAF Champions League first leg, with Jean Ramdiane making a string of saves to deny the Buccaneers.

September 18, 2026
10:58 pm

Orlando Pirates could not find a way through. The Buccaneers were held to a goalless draw by Mauritian side La Cure Waves in the CAF Champions League first preliminary round on Sunday, 6 September 2026 — a frustrating night that left the tie wide open.

La Cure Waves 0–0 Orlando Pirates: Match Details

Fixture: La Cure Waves 0–0 Orlando Pirates
Competition: CAF Champions League, first preliminary round (first leg)
Date: Sunday, 6 September 2026
Result: Goalless draw
Second leg: Saturday, 12 September 2026, Orlando Amstel Arena

The Chances Pirates Could Not Take

This was not a case of Pirates failing to create. Goalkeeper Jean Ramdiane was the difference for the hosts:

15′ – Boitumelo Radiopane’s shot saved by Ramdiane
36′ – Radiopane fails to connect with a cross from the right flank
59′ – Deon Hotto forces a great save from Ramdiane following a set piece
70′ – Hotto’s effort sails over the bar
84′ – Yanela Mbuthuma heads wide from a cross into the box

Five clear openings, no goals. For a club of Pirates’ resources facing continental minnows, it was an uncomfortable evening.

Why the Result Mattered

The goalless first leg left Abdeslam Ouaddou’s side needing to win the return at the Orlando Amstel Arena — and, crucially, unable to afford conceding an away goal. That is a significant amount of pressure to carry into a fixture that should have been settled already.

Pirates did eventually get the job done, winning the second leg to progress 3–1 on aggregate, but the scare set the tone for a continental campaign that has since thrown up further complications, with African Stars moving their next home leg to Gaborone.

Betting Insights

Preliminary-round caution: CAF first legs away from home are routinely low-scoring. Under 1.5 and 2.5 goals lines have been reliable.
Favourite fatigue: Big South African clubs regularly fail to cover handicaps against continental minnows. Straight win markets are safer than handicaps.
Goalkeeper markets: Ramdiane made several saves — opposition goalkeeper save markets are underrated in these ties.
Aggregate value: “To qualify” prices are consistently better value than individual leg results.

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Final Word

Pirates created enough to win comfortably and did not take a single chance. It is the oldest story in continental football: the favourites dominate, the underdog goalkeeper has the game of his life, and suddenly a routine tie becomes an anxious week. Ouaddou’s side survived — but the warning was clear.

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Sources

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