Orlando Pirates blow chance to reach CAF Champions League final

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Orlando Pirates suffered disappointment in Cairo, bowing out of the CAF Champions League in the semi-finals after a 3-2 defeat to Pyramids on Friday night.

It was a most gutting experience at 30 June Stadium for the Buccaneers who were within touching distance of another appearance in the final, 30 years since their historic continental triumph.

Having played to a goalless draw in the opening leg at FNB Stadium, they bowed out of the competition as their unbeaten run ended in the cruellest manner on their return to the Egyptian capital.

Their opponents meanwhile qualified for their first ever CAF Champions League final after maintaining the impressive home record they kept throughout the campaign.

Showed early intent

The Soweto giants fell just short in a highly entertaining clash which lived up to its early promise after the two sides showed intent early on.

Pyramids’ Mostafa Fathi was gifted a golden chance with only seconds on the clock when he manoeuvred his way in between the defence before misplacing a first-time shot at goal.

Orlando Pirates then had to wait a good 10 minutes to test Ahmed El Shenawy’s goal, with the opportunity falling to striker Evidence Makgopa who could not find a way past the shot-stopper after getting on the end of a cutback from Deon Hotto.

That proved to be the start of a promising period for the visitors as they made several forays deep into opposition territory without making the most of their front-foot ball.

The Egyptians however maintained some control of proceedings but were also not able to create any clear-cut chances despite a clear dominance in possession.

With the break approaching, the Soweto giants managed to make a much-needed breakthrough following a set piece which the hosts failed to clear.

The ball was instead worked onto the path of Relebohile Mofokeng, who made no mistake as he volleyed into the net to put his side ahead in the 41st minute.

The lead proved to be short-lived as the dangerous Fiston Mayele pounced on some sleepy defence moments before the break to draw the North Africans level.

Despite level pegging, Orlando Pirates were still at an ever-so-slight advantage through the away-goal rule in place in the competition.

They set about finding a second after the restart, but were almost on the backfoot as the home side went close through a direct free-kick kept out by a diving Sipho Chaine.

Having just survived a scare, they set up an uphill climb for the hosts through a stunning effort from Mohau Nkota, who netted a blinder past El Shenawy to make it 2-1 in the 52nd minute.

It was yet another advantage the Buccaneers were not allowed to enjoy for long, as Pyramids hit back almost immediately with Ramadan Sobhi finding a way past Chaine five minutes later.

Mostafa Fathi headed wide from a few paces from goal, while Evidence Makgopa was forced into some crucial defensive work on the goal line as Mayele looked to put the home side ahead.

Orlando Pirates also had attempts at the Egyptians’ goal, but could not convert with Thalente Mbatha firing wide after benefitting off some tenacious work on the flank from Nkota.

With the visitors needing to see out the clock in the closing stages, Pyramids descended upon their half in the final 10 minutes.

Chaine pulled off a stunning save to keep his side in the contest, plus another one in the resultant corner.

Failure to clear from the set piece allowed Mayele another opportunity, and the Congolese striker obliged as he knocked the ball into the net to make it 3-2.

Attempts at wrestling back the initiative proved futile for the Buccaneers, who had to contend with the clock plus opposition with one foot in the final.

It finished in disappointment in the end as Pyramids held on to deny Pirates their first CAF Champions League final in 12 years.