Pirates forced to take CAFCL match vs Pyramids to FNB Stadium!

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Orlando Pirates will face Pyramids in the first leg of the CAF Champions League semifinals at FNB Stadium on 19 April.

The Buccaneers booked their place in the semifinals by beating MC Alger 1-0 aggregate.

They remain the only unbeaten team in the CAF Champions League this season. Bucs have played 12 games, won eight and drawn just four.

Pyramids, on the other hand, stunned Moroccan giants AS FAR Rabat 4-3 on aggregate to advance to the semifinals.

WHY ORLANDO PIRATES WILL PLAY AT FNB STADIUM

Pirates play their home games at Orlando Stadium where they have turned it into a slaughter house.

However, they will be forced to take this particular encounter away from their usual home ground.

And that is because the Orlando Stadium is booked from 18 to 20 April by Grace Bible Church as it will be Easter holidays.

Stadium Management South Africa (SMSA) accepted Grace Bible Church’s booking simply because Pirates were initially scheduled to play SuperSport United away on 20 April.

Now, the only option for Pirates was to pick the FNB Stadium just as they did when they played and beat Mamelodi Sundowns.

The good thing though is that the match will be played closer to millions of Pirates fans in and around Soweto.

Pirates fans have been impressive in terms of attending the team’s home games in recent months, and this may be no exception.

Evidence Makgopa of Orlando Pirates celebrates goal with teammates during the DStv Premiership 2023/24 match between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates at the FNB Stadium, Johannesburg on the 11 November 2023 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

WILL THIS AFFECT BUCS’ PERFORMANCE?

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