Orlando Pirates face La Cure Waves in CAF Champions League tie

Orlando Pirates will begin their CAF Champions League campaign against La Cure Waves SC, a Mauritius club whose local players largely hold full-time jobs alongside football. The first qualifying-round tie will take the South African side to Mauritius for the opening leg next month.

Former Mauritius international Jean-Marc Ithier believes the reigning South African champions have a clear advantage in the two-legged contest. He said the gap between the Premier Soccer League and Mauritian football gives Pirates superior quality and makes them strong candidates to reach the next round.

Ithier’s assessment is based partly on the different structures of the clubs. La Cure Waves’ local players reportedly play football on an amateur basis while working regular jobs, whereas Pirates operate as a professional PSL team. He also said the standard of football in Mauritius has declined in recent years, with no clear indication of when it will recover.

Pirates’ domestic position supports their status as favourites. They are top of the 2026 PSL table after three matches, with seven points from two wins and a draw, and have scored six goals while conceding one. Their latest five listed results are less convincing, however: three defeats, one victory and one draw, including a 1-1 result in their most recent outing.

The South African club will still need to handle the tie carefully over both legs. Pirates have generally made it through the opening stage in recent Champions League campaigns, but they were knocked out in the preliminary rounds four times in their last six attempts. La Cure Waves may have fewer professional resources and less continental experience, yet Pirates’ recent history means an assured approach will be required.

The Buccaneers’ next domestic fixture is against Sekhukhune United in the PSL on August 25, 2026. Their immediate continental task is to establish control in Mauritius before the return leg of the qualifying tie.