The investigation into Saint Eloi Lupopo, spurred by Orlando Pirates’ protest over player eligibility, has entered a critical phase following new evidence that casts doubt on the Congolese club’s compliance with CAF regulations.
What initially began as a standard eligibility complaint after Lupopo won their CAF Champions League preliminary round tie on penalties against Orlando Pirates has now evolved into a far more complex case. At the heart of the dispute are allegations of document tampering concerning the personal identification details of key players.
A primary focus of the investigation centers around forward Henoc Molia, whose passport details are under scrutiny. Authorities are examining whether discrepancies in his personal information, such as his date of birth, name, and ID numbers, were intentionally altered or submitted inaccurately to CAF’s Competition Management System (CMS). These potential irregularities could lead to allegations of document tampering, an issue which has raised serious concerns among CAF officials.
Adding further fuel to the fire is the timing of Molia’s absence from the DR Congo squad during the recent African Nations Championship (CHAN 2024). While Saint Eloi Lupopo had cited an injury for his exclusion, the player was promptly signed by the club immediately after being left off the national team roster. Investigators are now looking into whether his exclusion was linked to administrative ineligibility, possibly due to issues with his passport information.
The case also involves another player, Ramos Kashala, whose registration has come under intense scrutiny. Reports suggest that Kashala was still contracted to AS Vita as late as October 7, well beyond the September 30 deadline for CAF registration. This raised questions about the legitimacy of his registration by Lupopo, particularly given that any delays related to unpaid transfer fees would have violated CAF’s strict registration protocols.
CAF’s CMS, designed to timestamp all player registrations, ensures that clubs cannot backdate or alter registration data to circumvent eligibility rules. If found in violation of these rules, Saint Eloi Lupopo could face severe penalties, including fines or disqualification from the Champions League group stages.
As CAF’s investigation enters its final stages, both clubs await a decision that could have far-reaching consequences for the competition and the enforcement of eligibility regulations within African football.
