Pirates join Sundowns in semifinals of CAF Champions League

Orlando Pirates were held to a 0-0 draw by  MC Alger in the second leg of the CAF Champions League quarter final at the Olando stadium on Wednesday night.

The draw was enough for the Buccaneers to book their place in the semifinals of the competition where they will meet Pyramids FC of Egypt. Pirates qualified for the last four on a 1-0 aggregate having beaten MC Alger away in the first leg last Friday.

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Even though the visitors dominated possession from the start, with the hosts ready to bounce on the counter-attack using the speed of Mohau Nkota and Relebohile Mofokeng upfront. However, both teams struggled to create clear-cut chances in the opening exchanges of the encounter.

Deon Hotto came close to opening the scoring for the Buccaneers in the 10th minute, but his powerful shot went narrowly wide of goal. Two minutes later, Sipho Chaine was called into action and the Pirates goalkeeper did well to deny Mohamed Bangoura from close range.

Zakaria Naidji caused a lot of problems for the Pirates defence on the left flank, but Mbekezeli Mbokazi, who was once again utilised as a third centre back, kept the MC Alger under wraps for much of the match.

MC Alger were awarded a free kick in a promising position in the 42nd minute, but Bangoura shot wide of the goal from it as the visitors continued to push for a goal in the first half.

Chaine did well to come out of his area to close down Bangoura on the stroke of half time and made sure that the game remained goalless at the break.

MC Alger continued to control the match after the restart, but the Buccaneers remained solid and compact at the back.

The visitors appealed for a penalty in the 55th minute for what they deemed as a handball by Hotto inside the box, but the referee waved play on. TV replays showed that he made the correct decision as the ball had hit Hotto on the shoulder.

Pirates coach Jose Riveiro introduced Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo and Patrick Maswanganyi in the 70th minute in place of Thalente Mbatha and Nkota respectively.

Maswanganyi almost made an immediate impact when he cut inside before unleashing a powerful shot towards goal, but Toufik Moussaoui was well-positioned to make a save.

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Substitute Tshegofatso Mabasa wasted a glorious opportunity to win the game for Pirates in referee’s optional time following a mistake at the back by MC Alger, but the striker hit the upright from close range.

But in the end, the draw was enough for Pirates to go through to the semifinals of the CAF Champions League. The became the second South African team to qualify for the semifinals of the competition after Mamelodi Sundowns.