Lupopo dealt with major blow ahead of Sundowns clash

Lupopo star ruled out for Downs tie

Africa 19 November 2025 at 06:39

Hlayisani Magoro

News Editor

Lupopo dealt with major blow ahead of Sundowns clash

Photo: FC Saint-Eloi Lupopo

22.11.25 FT CAF Champions League

Mamelodi Sundowns FC

Saint-Eloi Lupopo

Democratic Republic of Congo outfit FC Saint-Eloi Lupopo will be without the reliable services of Dieumerci Mukoko Amale ahead of their clash against Mamelodi Sundowns.

The right-back has been slapped with a two-match suspension by CAF following his lack of sportsmanship in the second leg of the second preliminary round against Orlando Pirates last month.

Mukoko attempted to headbutt Bucs' Masindi Nemtajela, prompting a push from Tshepang Moremi, who was sent off along with the wrong Lupopo player in Christopher Sumbu.

As a result, the theatrical Congolese escaped a sending off and remained on the pitch, taunting the Pirates players and their technical team.

CAF committee has since reviewed the footage on the day and confirmed Mukoko's unsporting conduct and the match official's wrong sending off, which resulted in a suspension for the defender.

Mukoko will miss the group stage opener against Sundowns at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday and subsequently the second match against Sudanese giants Al-Hilal Omdurman.