Police had to remove fans off the pitch.
MC Alger players and Orlando Pirates personnel in a scuffle during the CAF Champions League 2024/25 2nd Leg match at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday. Photo: Sydney Mahlangu
The CAF Champions League quarterfinal clash between Orlando Pirates and MC Alger was marred by violence.
The game ended in a 0-0 draw, but the stalemate was enough to send Pirates to the semifinals of the continental competition on a 1-0 aggregate. The Buccaneers will now face Pyramids of Egypt in the semis.
Following their defeat at the hands of the Buccaneers at the Orlando Stadium on Wednesday night, MC Alger technical team and players got into a fierce altercation with the Pirates bench.
READ MORE: Pirates join Sundowns in semifinals of CAF Champions League
The situation got worse when the Pirates fans invaded the pitch to protect their players and technical team and they chased the travelling side down the tunnel.
The police then intervened to disperse the fans off the pitch.
The confrontation between the two benches continued in the tunnel, but this time it was more verbal.
This is a second incident in less than a week in a game that involves a North African club. Last week, Esperance fans attacked Mamelodi Sundowns fans at the Loftus Versfeld stadium after their team’s loss to the Buccaneers.
Three Esperance fans were reportedly rushed to hospital following this fist fight between the sides.
Following their victory over MC Alger, Pirates joined Mamelodi Sundowns and Stellenbosch FC in the CAF interclub semi-finals.
READ MORE: Stellies stun Zamalek to reach Confed Cup semifinals
Sundowns will meet Al Ahly in the other semifinal match of the CAF Champions League, while Stellies will face Tanzanian side Simba SC in the semifinals of the CAF Confederation Cup.
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