Former Buccaneers defender, Thabo Matlaba took a trip down memory to the last time Orlando Pirates faced Al Ahly in the CAF Champions League.
Check it out!
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The story
It has been over a decade since Al Ahly, the current CAF Champions League (CAFCL) holders, faced Pirates in a memorable two-legged final.
In November 2013, Al Ahly claimed their 8th title, defeating the Roger de Sa-led Buccaneers, who agonizingly missed out on their second CAFCL crown since 1995's historic triumph.
The first leg in Orlando ended 1-1, with Mohamed Aboutrika's brilliant free kick cancelled out by Thabo Matlaba's long-range strike, while the second leg in Cairo saw Al Ahly secure a 2-0 victory, dashing the Pirates' continental title dreams.
Matlaba, who currently plies his trade with Royal AM, looked back on the goal with SuperSport TV after his side's 2-2 draw with Kaizer Chiefs at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.
"I know I've got a powerful shot, both feet, left and right. So, I knew if I could try my luck and take a shot, maybe something will happen. And it did, it did happen and it was a beautiful goal, I was so emotional." reflects the veteran fullback.
Watch Matlaba reliving his goal against Al Ahly below:
?? ???????? ???????? ???????????? ????????: in the 2013 #TotalEnergiesCAFCL final, Thabo Matlaba scored an added time equaliser, giving Pirates fans hope of a second title.
— SuperSport Football ?? (@SSFootball) December 5, 2024
Here he is looking back to that night ?? pic.twitter.com/Xw7Dsx6mir
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Before the two African giants clashed in 2013's final, the Buccaneers blew their Egyptian counterparts away during the group stages of the competition, winning 3-0.
Overall, the Sea Robbers have beaten Al Ahly on three occasions, including two wins in the semi-finals back in 2015, 4-3 and 2-1 away and home respectively.
For Jose Riveiro's men, they'll be eager to get one over the reigning CAFCL champions in front of a sold out Orlando Stadium on Saturday afternoon, with hopes of building from their 2-1 win in their Group C opener at CR Belouizdad.
On this day ?? years ago, @orlandopirates stunned Al Ahly SC with 3 goals to nill. In Egypt. ??#TotalEnergiesCAFCL pic.twitter.com/QN4Po6ppjO
— TotalEnergies CAFCL CAFCC ?? (@CAFCLCC) August 4, 2023
