Dieumerci Mukoko: Why Saint Eloi Lupopo Defender’s Antics vs Orlando Pirates Went Viral [VIDEO]

Saint Éloi Lupopo right-back Dieumerci Mukoko Amale became an overnight sensation among South African football fans after his fiery and theatrical display against Orlando Pirates in the CAF Champions League. 

What started as a tense second-leg encounter in Soweto turned into a spectacle dominated by the Congolese defender’s swagger, antics, and unapologetic confidence.

While Pirates supporters were left heartbroken after their side’s dramatic penalty shoot-out elimination, Mukoko walked away as the unexpected star of the night — not for his defending, but for his personality. 

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The 27-year-old’s every move, from his commanding strut to his playful taunts, was captured and shared widely online, sparking a social media frenzy.

The spotlight fell squarely on Mukoko after a heated incident midway through the match that led to a chaotic brawl and two red cards. 

When Pirates midfielder Masindi Nemtajela scored the opener, he rushed to restart the game, only for Mukoko to step in and snatch the ball from his hands. That act of defiance lit the fuse for a confrontation that saw players and officials storming the pitch.

“Before he could even put the ball down, Mukoko grabbed it and chaos broke out,” one fan posted online, summing up the scene that instantly went viral across X (formerly Twitter).

Frustration boiled over as Pirates’ Tshepang Moremi shoved Mukoko to the ground, triggering a melee that forced the referee to brandish red cards to both Moremi and Chris Maniania for their roles in the altercation. The incident left both teams with ten men as emotions spilled over in the cauldron of the Orlando Stadium.

But if the fiery exchange unsettled most players, Mukoko seemed to thrive on it. With his trademark swagger and unbothered demeanor, he continued to play with confidence and flair, earning equal parts admiration and irritation from the crowd. 

His now-infamous “bossy walk” after fouls and stoppages became a social media meme within hours, with fans dubbing him “the villain they can’t stop watching.”

“He’s like a movie character — you love to hate him,” another supporter commented online. “That walk alone deserves its own highlight reel.”

On the footballing front, the match itself was no less dramatic. Pirates, fielding Deon Hotto and Sipho Mbule after recalls, started strongly and took the lead five minutes before halftime through Nemtajela’s composed finish. But their momentum was halted by the ensuing brawl, which disrupted their rhythm.

The Buccaneers continued to dominate possession in the second half, with Oswin Appollis and Mbuthuma both testing Lupopo goalkeeper Simon Omossola. 

Mbuthuma eventually headed in from a Dlamini corner to restore hope, but Lupopo refused to crumble. A late strike from Appollis forced the game into penalties, where the Soweto giants faltered under pressure.

In the decisive moment, Mbuthuma missed his spot-kick, handing Lupopo a famous victory and a place in the CAF Champions League group stages.