African Stars head coach Gerald Güther has praised Orlando Pirates for their quality and composure after his side suffered a 4-0 defeat in the second leg of their CAF Champions League qualifying tie on Friday night.

The result at Orlando Amstel Arena secured a 5-0 aggregate victory for the Buccaneers, confirming their place in the Champions League group stage and ending the Namibian side’s continental campaign.

Güther acknowledged that Pirates demonstrated greater experience and confidence throughout the match, making it difficult for his players to settle into their rhythm. He admitted that African Stars struggled particularly during the opening stages, when the hosts took advantage of defensive mistakes to establish control.

Reflecting on the difference between the teams, Güther said: “We saw that tonight we lost the game against a classy team. Not the result that we obviously wanted.”

The coach explained that Pirates’ movement, confidence on the ball and experience in continental competition gave them an advantage. He also admitted that African Stars failed to find their rhythm early enough, allowing the South African side to take control of the encounter.

“Lessons learned, definitely,” Güther said, noting the experience Pirates have gained through competing in numerous high-level matches. He added that his players lacked some of the confidence and composure displayed by their opponents, particularly in the opening minutes.

Despite the heavy defeat, the African Stars coach believes the experience can help his team improve. Facing a club with Pirates’ continental experience provided a valuable opportunity for his players to understand the standards required to compete against some of Africa’s strongest teams.

Güther also backed the Buccaneers to make progress in the competition, praising their playing style, tactical organisation and energy.

“If they keep their style of play, their system, and their energy, I foresee them to go quite far in this Champions League,” he said.

For Orlando Pirates, the victory represents an important step towards their continental ambitions after securing a return to the Champions League group stage. Head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou will now focus on preparing his squad for the challenges ahead as the competition becomes more demanding.

African Stars, meanwhile, must take lessons from the defeat as they return their attention to domestic football. Although their continental journey has ended, Güther’s assessment suggests the experience could provide a foundation for future development.

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