The Buccaneers were stunned by Pyramids during the second leg of the CAF Champions League final on Friday night, losing with two goals to three. Image: News24.
(The Post News)– After a 3-2 defeat by Pyramids, Orlando Pirates have missed a spot in the final of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League.
Pirates made two changes for the second leg of the semi-final on Friday night: Thapelo Xoki replaced Patrick Maswanganyi, while Evidence Mokgopa replaced Tshegofatso Mabasa. Ten minutes into the game, Deon Hotto’s cutback could have given Mokgopa an impactful comeback, but he shot directly at keeper Ahmed El Shenawy.
Meanwhile, Fiston Mayele, with a left-footed cross in off the near post, equalised the game on the stroke of halftime, denying goalie Sipho Chaine a chance to save the ball. The Buccaneers refused to back down as they led again seven minutes into the second half. A loose ball was picked up by Nkota outside the 18-area and fired into the bottom corner, marking his fourth goal of the CAF competition.
The Pyramids did not waste time in retaliating; Ramadam Sobhi’s substitute had a positive influence in the area and headed in at the near post, exposing the Buccaneers’ defensive frailty once more. Half way through the second half, Mayele almost gave the Egyptians a lead with a spectacular header from a corner kick, but it was cleared off the live b Makgopa.
Around the last 15 minutes of the game, the coach for the Buccaneers, Jose Riveiro, made two changes, which saw Maswanganyi replacing Nkota and Kabelo Dlamini replacing Thalente Mbatha. Shortly before the Egyptians gained momentum in the game, Chiane had seized a diving header from Sodiq Ougola. Moreover, the Egyptians’ persistence on attacking gave them a lead when Mayele hammered the ball into the top corner.
The Buccaneers, on the other hand, tried to level the score, but the Pyramids held firm and advanced to the Champions League final, where they will lock horns with Mamelodi Sundowns.
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