By Mark Ogagan
South Africa’s Orlando Pirates have been eliminated from this year’s CAF Champions League after going down 3-2 to Pyramids of Egypt in a second leg semifinal duel in Cairo on Friday bight.
The first leg in South Africa ended goalless, so the Egyptian side went through to the final 3-2 on aggregate.
Pirates made two changes from the first leg, as Tapelo Xoki replaced Patrick Maswanganyi while Evidence Makgopa came in for Tshegofatso Mabasa.
Makgopa could’ve had a welcome return after 10 minutes played with a snap shot from a cutback by Deon Hotto, but he sent his effort straight at goalkeeper Ahmed El Shenawy.
Pirates continued to have the momentum and the smart footwork from Mohau Nkota and Relebohile Mofokeng helped them to a smooth transition between defence and attack.
Mofokeng gifted the Soweto giants the lead four minutes ahead of halftime when he beat El Shenawy with a first-time volley into the bottom-corner after meeting a high ball.
Fiston Mayele levelled matters on the stroke of the interval after he guided a left-footed cross in off the near post, giving goalkeeper Sipho Chaine no chance.
The Buccaneers were back in front seven minutes after as Nkota picked up a loose ball just outside the 18-yard area and curled into the bottom-corner for his fourth goal of the competition.
Pyramids, however, hit back five minutes later as substitute Ramadan Sobhi made a giant leap in the area and headed in at the near post as Pirates’ vulnerability at the back was exposed once again.
Mayele almost had a brace midway through the second half through a pin-point header from a corner-kick, but it was cleared off the line by Makgopa.
Pirates coach Jose Riveiro made a double substitution towards the last 15 minutes, with Maswanganyi coming on for Nkota whil Kabelo Dlamini was introduced in place of Thalente Mbatha.
The Egyptian outfit seized control seven minutes from time when Mayele thumped into the top corner after Chaine had initially saved Sodiq Ougola’s diving header.
Pirates pushed for the equaliser with time running out, but Pyramids remained resolute and progressed to the final of the Champions League to face Mamelodi Sundowns.
How the teams lined up
Pyramids: El Shenawy, Saad, Sharafeldin, Chibi, Eldin, Seifeldin, Toure, Abdelmonem, Elkarti, Mayele, Mohamed
Orlando Pirates: Chaine, Van Rooyen, Sibisi, Xoki, Mbokazi, Hotto, Makhaula, Mbatha, Nkota, Mofokeng, Makgopa
Subs: Buthelezi, Mako, Shandu, Ndlozi, Ndlondlo, Dlamini, Maswanganyi, Radiopane, Mabasa
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