Orlando Pirates moved top of Group C in the CAF Champions League despite playing to a 1-1 draw against Stade d'Abidjan on Saturday evening.
CAF Champions League
Halftime: Stade d'Abidja 0-1 Orlando Pirates
Date: 14 December 2024
Venue: Stade Robert Champroux
Mohau Nkota was restored to Pirates line-up by Jose Riveiro, having started the goalless draw with Al Ahly SC last Saturday on the bench.
Pirates had no problems settling but were adventurous from the start as Mofokeng, Nkota, Evidence Makgopa, and Deon Hotto camped extensively in the opposing box.
Hotto, in particular, was a mere inch to finding the breakthrough when he dropped a shoulder near post of the box and shaved the top corner with a smart curling shot.
The attacking approach by the Buccaneers continued on the half-hour mark as Makgopa raced clear unchecked and laid off for Thalente Mbatha, but he missed target.
Pirates kept pushing and finally grabbed the lead on the stroke of halftime when Makgopa fired in from the penalty spot after Mofokeng was brought down in the box.
The Buccaneers lack of a killer instinct came back to haunt them as the host levelled after Ousmane Niakite headed in off the underside of the crossbar.
Makgopa, who broke the deadlock, could've gone and put the Sea Robbers back in front after a one-on-one but the Bafana strike fluffed his lines.
The renewed energy displayed by the host didn't subside as the Buccaneers battled immensely to track their movements and contain threats coming their way.
Pirates looked to regain the ascendancy and turned to the bench for inspiration, but the Ivorians remained courageous and unfazed.
However, with the momentum going either way neither side were able to get over the line and settled for a point apiece, especially after Chaine made a vital save in time added on.
Here's how they lined up:
Orlando Pirates: Chaine, Van Rooyen, Sesane, Sibisi, Mako, Makhaula, Mbatha, Nkota, Mofokeng, Hotto, Makgopa
Subs: Buthelezi, Monyane, Timm, Gilberto, Dlamini, Mabasa, Maela, Rasebotja, Kimvuidi.
