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Pirates lucky to be held by Pyramids

football19 April 2025 18:00| © Backpage TXT
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Pyramids players @ Gallo Images

Orlando Pirates played to a 0-0 draw in their CAF Champions League semifinal, first-leg match played at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday evening.

Though the result was a disappointing one for the Buccaneers, it could have been worse for the South African hosts, as Pyramids twice had goals scratched off by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) and generally posed more of an attacking threat.

Pirates will have to produce a much more convincing performance in the return game in Egypt next weekend if they are to keep up their hopes of winning the Champions League for a second time.

The hosts started on the front foot and as early as the 10th minute Thalenthe Mbatha fired off a long-range drive which drew a sharp save from Pyramids goalkeeper Ahmed Al Shenawy.

Five minutes later Patrick Maswanganyi struck a low effort from just outside the penalty area which shaved the outside of Al Shenawy’s left-hand post.

Pyramids were able to successfully restrict the hosts for the remainder of the first half, working hard in midfield to close down the space, and they were also close to claiming the lead in the 45th minute.

A hopeful lob into the Pirates box was headed up in the air by Mbekezile Mbokazi and Fiston Mayele latched onto the loose ball, before stabbing home what he thought was the opening goal – but a VAR review showed that he was offside when the ball was played forward and the goal was ruled out.

The Egyptian side had another great chance to break the deadlock just before the hour mark, as Mostafa Fathi sprinted in on goal after a mistake from Deon Hotto, but Deano Van Rooyen made a superb recovery challenge.

Shortly thereafter Mayele had another glaring chance thanks to Mohamed Chibi’s cross from the right flank, but the DR Congo attacker headed over the target from close range.

In the 74th minute Ibrahim Toure drove an effort just off target from outside the box, as Pyramids continued to look the likelier scorers – even while seeing less of the ball.

And the Egyptian side thought they had claimed the lead in the 85th minute when a header from a corner kick found the back of the net – though it was via the arm of substitute Sodiq Ougola and was again ruled out by VAR.

Pirates closed the game with a spell of attacking pressure, but were unable to find a late goal, leaving the clash to end all square.

The return match will be held at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo on the evening of Friday 25 April.

Orlando Pirates 0

Pyramids FC 0

Pirates: Chaine, Van Rooyen, Sibisi, Mbokazi, Hotto, Makhaula, Mbatha (Ndlondlo 90+3’), Nkota (Dlamini 78’), Mofokeng, Maswanganyi, Mabasa (Makgopa 61’)

Pyramids: Al Shenawy, Hamdi, Chibi, Samy, Marei, Toure (Atef 90+2’), Lasheen, El Karti, Fathi, Hafez (Ougola 77’), Mayele (Hamdi 90+4’)

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