Orlando Pirates sealed their spot in the CAF Champions League semi-finals with a 1-0 aggregate win over Algerian giants MC Alger in the quarter-final round.
CAF Champions League
Result: Orlando Pirates 0-0 MC Alger (1-0 aggregate)
Date: 09 April 2025
Venue: Orlando Stadium
Buccaneers coach Jose Riveiro gave a start to Mohau Nkota, who came off the bench to score the winning goal in the first leg, as Kabelo Dlamini dropped to the bench alongside Patrick Maswanganyi.
The encounter got off to a lively start as Alger looked to put Pirates under pressure early on with a couple balls over the top, while Deon Hotto went close for the hosts with a strike from distance in the opening 10 minutes.
The Algerians dominated possession as the first half went on but were finding it tough to break down a well-marshalled Buccaneers defence, who thwarted every attempt that entered the 18-yard area.
While Pirates had no issues on the defensive end, there was some sloppiness in their passing whenever they did get possession although the threat of Nkota and Relebohile Mofokeng down the flanks was their best chance of getting something on the break.
Alger carried that momentum into the second half, but the young Mbekezeli Mbokazi popped up with a vital interception in the box to stop the visitors from finding the breakthrough eight minutes in.
With time running out, the Algerians freshened up the team with 24 minutes left on the clock by throwing on Mohamed Zougrana and Kipre Zunon, while Pirates introduced Maswanganyi and Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo for Thalente Mbatha and Nkota.
The Buccaneers defended in their numbers towards the closing periods of the second half and were restricting the Alger attackers to efforts from distance, none of which troubled goalkeeper Sipho Chaine.
Tshegofatso Mabasa should have sealed the result in second-half stoppage time after being left un-marked in the six-yard area, but the striker sent his effort against the upright.
Nevertheless, Pirates were not punished for that miss and were lucky not concede a penalty late on as they sealed their spot in the semi-finals, where they will face Egyptian outfit Pyramids FC.
Here's how they lined up:
Orlando Pirates: Chaine, Van Rooyen, Sibisi, Xoki, Mbokazi, Hotto, Makhaula, Mbatha, Nkota, Mofokeng, Makgopa
Subs: Buthelezi, Maela, Mako, Shandu, Rasebotja, Ndlondlo, Maswanganyi, Radiopane, Mabasa
MC Alger: Moussaouni, Khelif, Draoui, Ghezala, Abdellaoui, Benkhemassa, Halamia, Naidji, Bangoura, Bouras, Tabti
Subs: Belkir, Hamidi, Menezla, Zunon, Zougrana, Boussaid, Messoussa, Merzougui, Bayazid
