Orlando Pirates begin their CAF Champions League campaign with a tricky assignment first up as they travel to Bloemfontein to face reigning Lesotho champions Lioli at Free State Stadium on Saturday.
The Soweto Giants kick things off in the First Preliminary Round of the prestigious tournament as they look to take another step towards a second consecutive appearance in the group stage. This is after an impressive run last time out, when they made it all the way to the semifinals.
Standing in their way first up this season is a relatively unknown quantity in continental football circles in the form of the men from the Mountain Kingdom. They pose a potential banana peel for the 1995 champions at a stage of the competition that has occasionally delivered some upsets.
Geographically, the two sides are not based too far from each other but will be crossing paths for only the first time in their history. With their two-legged tie set to shape the rest of each side’s season, Orlandopiratesfc.com takes an in-depth look at the Buccaneers’ next opponents.
Recent Form: W-W-D-W-W
Unlike Pirates, who are well into the 2025/26 season, the Lesotho outfit have only just begun theirs and go into Saturday’s encounter with just one competitive match played. They kicked off their campaign with a 5-0 win over newly-promoted Members – a convincing result that saw them shoot up to the top of the standings.
It was a continuation of their form from the latter stages of the previous campaign where they went on an impressive unbeaten run stretching from late February to the final match day on 24 May.
With four wins and a single draw in their last five fixtures, they boast an impressive 11 goals during this period and have proven difficult to score against, having only let in one goal. They conceded more than one goal on just four occasions across their previous league campaign and will want to carry that discipline at the back into what will likely be the biggest test of their defensive steel.
Structure and Stability
While Lioli’s near-impenetrable backline forms the foundation of their success, they have been just as sharp up front. They averaged just shy of two goals per match in the 2024/25 league season, inflicting massive defeats on the likes of Mzamane and ACE Maseru.
In 60 matches played across the two most recent league campaigns, they have hit the 100-goal mark while conceding just 29 goals.
Pirates however, presents a different proposition, and a varied approach will be required if Tse Nala are to advance past the first round. The Lesotho outfit have often utilised a dynamic 4-3-3 formation, and could be forced into a more conservative strategy against the Buccaneers possession-based attacking play.
Lioli’s trusted defence could frustrate the Soweto Giants, while the width and speed provided by wingers such as Hlalifele Moqokola and Tholang Makuru will be a threat on the counter.
Continental Record
Founded in 1932, Tse Nala are among the oldest teams participating in the Champions League. They have a brief history in continental competition, despite being one of Lesotho’s most successful teams over the years.
Lioli’s only previous appearance in the Champion League came in the 2016/17 edition. They encountered Zimbabwe’s CAPS United, with their involvement going only as far as the opening round as they lost 2-1 on aggregate after losing with all goals scored in the tie coming in defeat suffered in their away leg.
Lesotho international Tsepo Seturumane netted what remains their only goal in the competition, but new heroes could emerge in the current crop as they look to make history in Africa’s premier club competition.
Players to Watch
Litšepe Marabe: An experienced winger with an eye goal, the former Lesotho international has a top-flight golden boot to his name and is among the main attacking threats for the hosts. He comes into Saturday’s match in good form, having bagged a brace in Lioli’s season opener.
Thabang Klaas: Boasting even more experience is former Polokwane City and Free State Stars fullback Thabang Klaas, who has run out against the Buccaneers during his stint at the former. In a game where the hosts could employ the counter, the 32-year-old will be important at both ends of the pitch.
William Huni: Key to Lioli’s defensive supremacy in the domestic league, the experienced goalkeeper has been one of his side’s best players. He was named the league’s top gloveman following his exploits in the title-winning season and will be eager to transfer his domestic form to the all-important tie against the Buccaneers.
About Lioli
Based just 184km east of Bloemfontein in Teyateyaneng, Lioli are one of the oldest surviving professional teams in Southern Africa.
Their first league triumph came in 1985 and they have gone on to win a total of seven titles, making them the second most successful team in Lesotho. Apart from league success, Tse Nala have enjoyed lengthy cup runs, adding five more trophies to their cabinet.
They head into their clash against Pirates amid a period of dominance, having won back-to-back league titles for the second time in their history.
Under the mentorship of South African tactician Bongani Maseko, Lioli may be kicking their Champions League campaign as clear underdogs, but boast a confident batch of players’ who have established themselves as serial winners in their domestic league.
