Saint Eloi Lupopo Respond to Orlando Pirates Protest After Mamelodi Sundowns Defeat

Saint Eloi Lupopo midfielder Dramane Kambou has insisted that his team was not sidetracked by Orlando Pirates' protest and has assured Mamelodi Sundowns of a professional reception when they travel to the DR Congo.

The Burkina Faso international featured for the full 90 minutes in his side's 3-1 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns in their CAF Confederation Cup Group C opener at Loftus Versfeld.

Portuguese attacker Nuno Santos was the star of the show, netting a well-taken brace to secure maximum points for the Brazilians.

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Santos opened the scoring early, finding the net in the fourth minute. However, the Congolese side managed to pull level just before the break through Ramos Kashala Wanet (44'), ensuring the teams went into halftime at 1-1.

Mamelodi Sundowns regained control in the second half, with Chilean midfielder Marcelo Allende restoring the lead on the hour mark (61'). Santos then sealed the win and his personal double in the 78th minute, heading home to make the final score 3-1.

Saint Eloi Lupopo had previously knocked out last season's semi-finalists, Sekhukhune United, in the preliminary rounds.

Leading up to the match, uncertainty surrounded Lupopo's participation after Orlando Pirates protested administrative issues, questioning the registration of two players and the eligibility of head coach Guy Bukasa.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Disciplinary Committee ultimately cleared the players, while Guy Bukasa received a fine for a ban carried over from his time coaching the DR Congo U20 national team.

Dramane Kambou stated that the off-field drama did not affect the players' preparation for the Sundowns clash.

"No, we were never distracted. As players, we were fully focused on Sundowns," Kambou explained as quoted by IDiski Times.

"Those were administrative issues, and it’s not our job to focus on them. The admin is not what we should worry about.

"As a player, you just have to get the job done on the pitch. The protest was for the administrators; it didn’t change anything in our morale or our focus for the game against Sundowns."

Dramane Kambou also refuted claims of poor treatment circulating on social media and promised Sundowns a warm welcome in the DR Congo.

"They will be welcomed in DRC just as the Pirates were. We are a professional team," he affirmed. "Everything that was said on social media is not true. Our team and our administration will do our best to welcome Sundowns, just as they did for us here."

Saint Eloi Lupopo will host Al Hilal in their second group stage match scheduled for Friday, November 28, looking to display a better performance.