Mofokeng misses penalty as Pirates bow out of Champions League

Orlando Pirates were knocked out of the Caf Champions League after they lost 5-4 on penalties to Jwaneng Galaxy at the Orlando Stadium on Friday.

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Pirates dominated the game, but missed plenty of goal scoring chances which saw them win the return leg 1-0, having lost by the same score-line in the first leg – making it 1-1 on aggregate, leaving the two sides to be separated by penalties.

It was a frustrating first half for the Buccaneers, who knew the importance of getting an early goal in order to stand a chance of progressing to the next round of the tournament.

Paseka Mako’s had a good attempt at goals in the 10^th minute but Goitsone Phoko pulled off a good save to deny him.

The home side kept pushing for a goal, and constantly made some promising moves as Zakhele Lepasa was another one who was denied by Phoko following a good header from the striker.

As time went by, the lack of goals was making Pirates players frustrated, while Jwaneng just tried to manage the game. 

It was in the 66^th minute when Bucs finally made a breakthrough after substitute Evidence Makgopa slotted the ball in from close range thanks to a deflection by a Jwaneng player to make it 1-0 for Bucs and 1-1 on aggregate.

The Botswana outfit almost responded a few minutes later, but Rudath Wendell’s shot went just wide of Sipho Chaine’s  goals.

Bucs players had now started to believe that they can win the match as Kermit Erasmus unleashed a powerful shot, but he was denied by the upright in the 77^th minute.

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Jwaneng kept their defensive line, which was constantly under threat as another opportunity presented itself for Bucs in the last minutes of the match. But Makgopa’s pass inside the box went across the face of goals, while Bandile Shandu’s shot hit the side-net leaving the tie to go to penalties.

Bucs brought in keeper Richard Ofori for the spot-kicks and took Chaine out. 

Jwaneng managed to score all of their five penalties, while teenager Relebohile Mofokeng missed for Pirates.

Meanwhile, in the Caf Confederation Cup clash played on Friday night, SuperSport United advanced to the group stages after beating Gaborone United 3-0 and 4-1 on aggregate.

A brace from Etiosa Ighodaro and a late goal from Bradley Grobler were enough to book Matsatsantsa a Pitori a spot in the group stages.