Pirates’ hearts broken despite heroic show against Lupopo in CAF CL at Orlando

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Pirates’ hearts broken despite heroic show against Lupopo in CAF CL at Orlando
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Orlando Pirates have been eliminated from the CAF Champions League after falling 5-4 in the shootout following an aggregate 3-3 score.

Having lost the first leg of the final hurdle in Lubumbashi 3-0, the Soweto giants needed to step up at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Two red cards and a goal!

As expected, the Buccaneers started the match on a high, winning successive corners that were dealt with effectively by the visitors. Masindi Nemtajela thought he has won his team a penalty in the fourth miute after going down for what he felt was a challenge from Junior Marc Mendy, but the referee wasn't interested.

The Pirates' man, in frustration, reacted aggressively which invited a caution from the centre referee.

Patrick Maswanganyi did well to work his way into the danger zone in the 20th minute. With a block of defenders in front of him which provided minimal chance of successful dribble, he took a shot but missed the target.

The Cheminots defended in numbers which made it hard for Pirates to penetrate their defense. Sihle Nduli tried the keeper from a long-range effort in the 27th minute, while Tito's attempt missed by a big margin.

The best chance for Bucs fell on Tshepang Moremi in the 29th minute, but lacked composure to finish it. The miss could have cost his team a two minutes later, but Sipho Chaine pulled a crucial save to deny Basiala Amongo who has seen him off position.

The unmarked Mbekezeli Mbokazi could have given Bucs a 37th-minute lead from a cormer, but he just couldn't hit the target. Nevertheless, two minutes later, Nemtajela scored from just outside the box, with the goalkeeper glued on his spot.

Moremi and Soso Mukoko were involved in unsporting behavior but the former ended up being sent off, harshly, alongside Christopher Sumbu who was shocked since he had not done anything warranting a send-off.

Bucs deliver at the death!

Chaine had to be alert, once again, to stop the visitors from getting an away goal in the 50th minute. Henoc Molia beat his markers on the left before unleashing a rocket that was dealt with by the South Africa international.

Kabelo Dlamini, who had replaced Nemtajela after the break, almost doubled Bucs' advanatge in the 53rd minute, but the goalkeeper parried the ball out for unfruitful corner.

Bucs continued knocking the Lupopo door, but keeper Medjo Omossola kept them at bay, as seen in the 62nd minute when Mbokazi found space to shoot but his attempt was stopped.

Cheers and roars from the Pirates' fans hit the ceiling at Orlando in the 68th minute when Yanela Mbuthuma guided home a corner from Dlamini to make it 2-0 and 2-3 on aggregate. It gave the home team a reason to press even harder hoping to equalise the scores.

When it looked like like Lupopo have done everything to win it 3-2 in aggregate, Appollis delivered, just seconds before the end of the game. He was fed in the box, given too much time and capitalised fully by delivering the third goal for Bucs and send the game to penalties.

In the shootout, it ended 5-4 in favour of Lupopo who have now grabbed a ticket for the group stage.

<!-- Author Start -->Willis Sob<!-- Author End -->

Willis Sob

Author

Willis Sob is an experienced journalist who has been in the game since 2009, covering major assignments around the continent.
His hunger for African football is unmatched, always getting the best angles and facts to feed the fans and quench their thirst.

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