CAF Bombshell as New Evidence Puts Saint Eloi Lupopo Under Pressure in Orlando Pirates Protest

The CAF investigation into Orlando Pirates' protest against Saint Eloi Lupopo has reportedly taken a significant turn, with new allegations emerging that place the Congolese club under increased scrutiny.

What initially started as a standard eligibility complaint following the CAF Champions League preliminary round, a tie Saint Eloi Lupopo won on penalties after both teams secured 3-0 home victories, has now evolved into a more complex case.

According to Soccer Laduma, sources indicate that additional evidence has been submitted to CAF as the governing body continues its review.

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According to insiders, a key development centres on the integrity of documents for several Saint Eloi Lupopo players, with forward Henoc Molia at the centre of the inquiry.

The issue is not about dual nationality, which is common in football, but rather the authenticity of the player's passport information.

The core of the investigation, the source explained, is whether details such as the date of birth, name, and identification numbers align with the data originally submitted to CAF's Competition Management System (CMS). Any discrepancies, whether intentional or accidental, could be interpreted as document tampering.

Further questions have been raised about Henoc Molia's exclusion from the DR Congo squad for the recent African Nations Championship (CHAN 2024) tournament.

While Saint Eloi Lupopo cited an injury for his absence, the player was signed by the club shortly after being dropped.

Investigators are now reportedly examining whether his non-participation was linked to administrative ineligibility stemming from the passport issue.

The protest also involves another player, Ramos Kashala, whose registration has come under fire. It is alleged that Ramos Kashala was still contracted to AS Vita as late as October 7, well after the CAF registration window closed on September 30.

With his transfer reportedly delayed by an unpaid fee to a former club, it is unclear how Lupopo could have registered him before the deadline.

An insider noted that this timeline will be ‘critical’ for CAF's assessment, particularly given CMS's strict controls, which timestamp all registration data.

The system is designed to prevent clubs from backdating or altering information, a measure intended to avoid such disputes.

"He was not administratively eligible because of this passport trick. You cannot bypass the CAF system anymore."

These new allegations, coupled with Orlando Pirates' initial protest, have intensified the spotlight on Saint Eloi Lupopo as the investigation nears its conclusion.

While the Congolese club has publicly stated they have not received any official communication from CAF and are proceeding with their preparations, the pressure appears to be building.

If CAF rules in favour of Orlando Pirates on any of the eligibility infringements, the consequences for Saint Eloi Lupopo could be severe, potentially including fines or even disqualification from the Champions League group stages.

As the investigation enters what is believed to be its final phase, both clubs await a decision that will have significant implications for this season's competition and the enforcement of registration rules across African football. Orlando Pirates did not provide a comment when contacted.