South African Football Association (SAFA) has congratulated Orlando Pirates for qualifying for the final of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League final.
Pirates played to a one-all draw against draw against Esperance at the Stade Olympique de Rades in Tunisia on Saturday October 19. Defender Rooi Mahamutsa silenced the home side when he scored for the visitors in the 52nd minute before Esperance equalized five minutes later.
The South Africans go through on the away goal rule after they held the Tunisians to a goalless draw at the Orlando Stadium a fortnight ago.
“As the South African Football Association we would like to congratulate Orlando Pirates for a magnificent achievement in the CAF Champions League semi-final clash against Esperance. We would like to say to the players and the technical team your feat in Tunisia was of heroic proportions. You have made the whole country proud with your guts, determination and resilience. Not many gave you a chance but you did well,” said SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan.
”This is indeed a wonderful day for South African football and this milestone augurs for the game in this country. Your success is our success too as an Association because you are representing not only us but also millions of football fans in South Africa. In our view, you are already champions just by reaching the finals, and we have faith that you will go all the way and lift the trophy. We would like to assure you of our support.“
In the final, Pirates will face the winner in the other semi-final clash between Al Alhy of Egypt and Cottonsport of Cameroon who play on SundayOctober 20.
The first leg of the final is scheduled for Saturday November 2 with the second leg set to be played a week later (Saturday November9).
Orlando Pirates returned to South Africa on Monday October21.
