This weekend I was in Cairo to watch, in disappointment, as Orlando Pirates were beaten 3-1 on aggregate by African giants, Al Ahly, in the CAF Champions League. However, there was no shame in their defeat.
This year the CCL proved to be one step beyond the Buccaneers, but in retrospect they went many, many steps beyond what most people expected of them this season. So for that, they can be extremely proud of themselves.
After the 1-1 draw at Orlando Stadium, it was always going to be difficult for Roger de Sa's men. After the game on Sunday he admitted that that result was more like a defeat for them going into a difficult away leg, and that certainly proved to be the case.
I knew from the second I arrived in Egypt that this was going to be a big, big ask for the Buccaneers. Cairo is on another level of crazy - from the suicidal drivers to the unbelievably passionate football fans. As Lehlogonolo Masalesa said in his Soccer-Laduma interview on page 14, "An African Champions League away game is like being thrown into a den of lions."
Pirates' problems began before they even arrived at the stadium. Security held them in the bus outside the ground for about 45 minutes before letting them through. The mind games had already begun.
When I got into the Arab Contractors Stadium, I was taken aback by what I saw. It was over two hours before the game and yet so many of the stands were full. People were climbing in, even over the scoreboard, in order to get into the venue. I've never seen anything like it.
And the noise. I can't even describe to you how loud it got in there. Chanting, whistling, drumming - you name it. And when they went up a notch, it turned the whole stadium into a gargantuan wall of solid sound. Quite incredible.
When Pirates did make it onto the pitch, this is what greeted them. Having gotten off their bus and onto the field, they'd stepped out of the cauldron and into the fire. These players play for one of the biggest football teams in South Africa, one of the most well supported in the world, but none of them have played in front of a crowd like that before. I was intimidated, and I have no doubt that as they took their pre-match walk to inspect the field, they were intimidated too.
But then the game began, and they didn't seem intimidated at all. They played their game, knocked the ball around nicely and seemed able to ignore the screaming masses around them - to block them out. It was a good first half from Pirates. Despite the lasers constantly directed into their eyes, they had chances and looked confident.
Then came the second half, a goal from that man, Aboutrika, sent the crowd into raptures and made it 2-1 on aggregate. Flares were lit all over the stadium, red flames shot up from the crowd and fireworks were set off up into the night sky of Egypt's capital. They had one hand on the trophy.
Pirates kept going though. They had chances, they could have been back in it, but it wasn't to be. Zaher added a second for the Club of the Century and that was that - the Egyptians retained their title and claimed the 8th CCL trophy in their rich history.
The pain on the faces of Roger de Sa and his troops was visible. They'd come so close but fallen at the final hurdle. They'd won many battles along the way, but the war was Al Ahly's. It was over.
Seeing the Pirates players so upset after the game hurt, but speaking to Lucky Lekgwathi after the game put a different spin on things. He said he was proud of his boys, and so he should be, they entered a competition in which nobody gave them a chance and made it all the way to the final, beating some of Africa's best along the way.
It reminded me of those words of former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson, "Only true champions come out and show their worth after defeat."
Clearly many Egyptians felt the same way, because what was really heartwarming was the reception that the Buccaneers received as they left for the team bus after the game. Shouts of 'Orlando, Orlando' came from the remaining fans and everyone wanted a picture with them.
This Pirates team has given South African football credibility again, it's the kind of respect you can only achieve by doing well in these kinds of tournaments. One thing is for sure, Pirates won't be taken so lightly next time around.
Yours in football
Joe
