{
  "id": 5327895,
  "title": "Pirates looking to carry league form into Champions League",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/pirates-looking-to-carry-league-form-into-champions-league",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-03T12:24:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/soccer/local-soccer/pirates-looking-to-carry-league-form-into-champions-league/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou aims for his team to carry their winning form into the CAF Champions League. Pirates commence their continental journey with a preliminary round first-leg match away against La Cure Waves of Mauritius at Côte d’Or National Sports Complex on Sunday. The Buccaneers have commenced the 2026/27 season on a high, currently topping the Betway Premiership standings and reaching the MTN8 final, where they will face Mamelodi Sundowns on October 10th. Ouaddou hopes his team maintains this momentum in the continental competition, emphasizing the importance of the Champions League game following their early exit in last season's qualifiers. After Pirates' 4-0 win over Kruger United, Ouaddou stated their focus should be on the Champions League and crucial games, noting their failure in the competition last season. With 13 goals scored and none conceded in their last five games, Ouaddou is pleased with his team's finishing ability in front of goal. Despite not creating many chances in their recent game, the four goals scored are a testament to their efficiency. Pirates will face Mauritian minnows La Cure Waves in the second leg of the first qualifying round of the CAF Champions League next week at Orlando Stadium, aiming to take a strong lead into the match.",
  "summary": "\"We've got a Champions League game to play which we know is very important for us,\" said Ouaddou.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "SABC News",
        "title": "Pirates zoom in on CAF Champions League",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/pirates-zoom-in-on-caf-champions-league",
        "published": "2026-09-03T13:02:13.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Post Nigeria",
        "title": "Turkey: UEFA investigates Fenerbahce players after Champions League qualification",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/turkey-uefa-investigates-fenerbahce-players-after-champions-league",
        "published": "2026-09-03T15:47:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}