Orlando Pirates have crashed out of the CAF Champions League after losing on penalties to Morena Ramoreboli's Jwaneng Galaxy on Friday night.
CAF Champions League
Halftime: Orlando Pirates 1 (1)- (1) 0 Jwaneng Galaxy (Galaxy won 5-4 on penalties)
Date: 29 September 2023
Venue: Orlando Stadium
Pirates handed Kermit Erasmus his first start of the season alongside the return of Nkosinathi Sibisi and Thabang Monare, as three changes from their loss against Stellenbosch, while Monnapule Saleng dropped to the bench.
The Buccaneers started on the front foot as Paseka Mako and Zakhele Lepasa were denied by goalkeeper Goitseone Phoko within the first 13 minutes, through a shot and a header respectively.
The hosts continued to pressurize Galaxy and they had a chance midway through the first stanza with a set-piece just outside the box but Lepasa curled his shot inches over the crossbar.
Galaxy could not get out of their own half as Patrick Maswanganyi had a chance for Pirates shortly before the interval after a good turn in the box but his shot was saved by Phoko, as the Soweto giants went to the halftime break level on the night but trailing on aggregate.
Riveiro made an attacking change at halftime as Karim Kimvuidi replaced Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo and the hosts nearly broke the deadlock within three minutes after Maswanganyi's volley was smothered by Phoko.
The Buccaneers continued to pressurize Dinaledi but lacked the killer instinct in the final third and the Spanish mentor made another attacking change on the hour-mark as Lepasa made way for Evidence Makgopa.
Makgopa made an immediate impact, as he broke the deadlock for Pirates six minutes later and made it 1-1 on aggregate with a strike that was deflected over the line.
The Buccaneers were on the ascendancy again and Erasmus nearly doubled their lead in the last 13 minutes with a rocket from outside the box that came off the woodwork.
With the prospect of the penalty shootout, approaching, Pirates made a goalkeeping change in the last minute as they brought on Richard Ofori in place of Sipho Chaine.
There were no chances in the tail end as the sides went to penalties, Galaxy held their nerve to triumph 5-4 after Phoko decisively saved Relebohile Mofokeng's spot-kick and Benson Mangolo scored the last kick for Dinaledi.
Morena Ramoreboli's charges reached the group stages while Pirates crashed out of the tournament.
Here's how they lined up:
Orlando Pirates: Chaine, Mako, Monyane, Sibisi, Xoki, Ndlondlo, Monare, Maswanganyi, Hotto, Lepasa, Erasmus
Subs: Ofori, Ndah, Mofokeng, Shandu, Kimvuidi, Kapinga, Makgopa, Saleng, Timm
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