{
  "id": 6381858,
  "title": "Orlando Pirates aim to seal Champions League progression against La Cure Waves at home",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/orlando-pirates-aim-to-seal-champions-league-progression-against-la",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-09T04:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/sport/soccer/psl/2026-09-09-orlando-pirates-aim-to-seal-champions-league-progression-against-la-cure-waves-at-home/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Orlando Pirates are aiming to advance to the Champions League group stage after their opening match ended goalless with La Cure Waves. Their priority for the second leg at Orlando Amstel Arena is to score and prevent goals. They have a strong attacking lineup, having netted 18 goals in recent competitions without conceding more than twice. Currently, Pirates are second in the Betway Premiership with 13 points, just behind Mamelodi Sundowns. They also advanced to the MTN8 final, where they will face Sundowns on October 10. After a penalty shootout loss to St Eloi Lupopo last season, Pirates fans hope to bolster their chances this time around. Before the Mauritius setback, Pirates had no issues scoring. Yanela Mbuthuma, currently in the Bafana Bafana squad, impressed in their pre-tour matches, scoring twice and assisting. Boitumelo Radiopane, who recently returned from a loan spell, also shows promise. Pirates will be playing on their home turf of natural grass, having adapted to the artificial pitch in Mauritius. With only two goals conceded in nine matches, goalkeeper Sipho Chaine is expected to maintain his strong defensive performance. A goal from La Cure Waves would significantly impact Pirates' chances under the away-goals rule.",
  "summary": "Following a goalless first leg in Mauritius, Orlando Pirates host La Cure Waves on Saturday needing a decisive win to secure Champions League group stage qualification.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 6,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
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        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/joe-cole-has-predicted-the-team-to-win-the-champions-league-trophy",
        "published": "2026-09-09T05:38:05.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "France 24",
        "title": "Champions League: Madrid and Mbappé defeat Inter despite defensive lapses",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/champions-league-madrid-and-mbappe-defeat-inter-despite-defensive",
        "published": "2026-09-09T05:45:12.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "Manchester United cautiously optimistic as Champions League football returns to Old Trafford",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/manchester-united-cautiously-optimistic-as-champions-league-football",
        "published": "2026-09-09T07:26:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "🥐☕️ FC Breakfast: Champions League is back, scorers firing 🔥",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/fc-breakfast-champions-league-is-back-scorers-firing",
        "published": "2026-09-09T07:27:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "PSG starts title defense with Champions League powers Barcelona, Liverpool, Arsenal also in action",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/psg-starts-title-defense-with-champions-league-powers-barcelona-6404051",
        "published": "2026-09-09T09:33:17.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}