St Eloi Lupopo: Orlando Pirates’ CAF Champions League Conquerors Sanctioned

Congolese side St Eloi Lupopo have found themselves in trouble again after being sanctioned over disciplinary issues in a past match.

Lupopo have been in the spotlight in recent days following their ill-tempered CAF Champions League preliminary round match against Orlando Pirates, which they won on post-match penalties.

However, after the game, Pirates filed a case at CAF over the Congolese team, citing the ineligibility of their coach to be in the dugout for the match as well as two players who featured in the two-legged tie.

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Pirates claim coach Guy Bukasa was not supposed to be in the dugout during their encounter in the second preliminary round, having been suspended by CAF, following a brawl during an Under-20 AFCON match against South Africa.

The South African giants also allege that player Henoc Molia was registered outside the transfer window period while Ramos Khashala Wanet allegedly holds two passports.

While CAF handles that matter, which Lupopo CEO Jean-Luc Kapend has since dismissed as lacking basis, they have been hit with other sanctions over another ill-tempered match in their domestic league at the back end of last season.

Lupopo played Maniema Union on June 27, their final league match of the season, which ended goalless, but there were a number of incidents which left a lot to be desired.

Now, the Congolese league’s disciplinary committee has struck, suspending Djo Issama and Dramane Kambou for the next match while Patou Kabangu has been warned for unsporting conduct. Meanwhile, Sefu Ngongo has been handed a four-match ban for insulting the assistant referee.

Lupopo will be hoping that this is the end of their off-field problems as they have maintained that they are innocent in their case against Pirates.