{
  "id": 16228509,
  "title": "Pirates rout hapless Stars to reach Champions League group stage",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/23/pirates-rout-hapless-stars-to-reach-champions-league-group-stage",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-23T20:14:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/soccer/pirates-rout-hapless-stars-to-reach-champions-league-group-stage/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Orlando Pirates have secured a spot in the 2026/27 CAF Champions League group stage following a commanding 4-0 victory over African Stars in the second leg of their qualifier at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Friday. The match, which was won 5-0 on aggregate, showcased Pirates' dominance throughout the game.\n\nFrom the outset, Pirates applied pressure and created numerous chances, with Stars only managing to send one shot off target in the first half. Bulelani Sigomoshe had a promising run in the 12th minute, but his cutback was thwarted by the defensive efforts of Stars. Makgopa nearly found the net in the subsequent few seconds, but goalkeeper Mervin Kasetura made a crucial save.\n\nThe turning point came in the 18th minute when Thapelo Mokobodi equalized for Pirates, capitalizing on sustained attacking pressure. Ten minutes later, Mokobodi came close to scoring his second goal, but his effort narrowly missed the target. Despite the visitors' attempts to defend in a low block, Pirates continued to press and eventually doubled their lead at the stroke of half-time through Makgopa's low shot.\n\nAbdeslam Ouaddou, Pirates' coach, made tactical substitutions in the second half, with Kabelo Kgositsile and Mpho Padime coming on for Thalente Mbatha. Padime's introduction proved decisive as he scored the third goal for Pirates, capitalizing on a Makgopa cross. In the 77th minute, Makgopa completed his brace, sealing a 4-0 victory for Pirates and ensuring their progression to the Champions League group stage.",
  "summary": "Pirates led 2-0 at the half-time break.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "IOL",
        "title": "Shock as Wiliete dump champions Mamelodi Sundowns out of CAF Champions League",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/23/shock-as-wiliete-dump-champions-mamelodi-sundowns-out-of-caf",
        "published": "2026-10-23T20:07:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Post Nigeria",
        "title": "Rangers eliminated from CAF Champions League after MC Alger comeback",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/23/rangers-eliminated-from-caf-champions-league-after-mc-alger-comeback",
        "published": "2026-10-23T22:08:25.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}