Orlando Pirates failed to advance to the CAF Champions League final after losing 3-2 to Pyramids in the second leg of the semi-final on Friday night.
CAF Champions League
Result: Pyramids FC 3-2 Orlando Pirates (3-2 on aggregate)
Date: 25 April 2025
Venue: 30 June Air Defence Stadium
Pirates coach Jose Riveiro made a couple changes from the first leg last weekend as Patrick Maswanganyi dropped to the bench, with Thapelo Xoki introduced to bolster the defence while Evidence Makgopa was also recalled.
The Buccaneers pushed for a lively start and managed to carve out a couple big chances, with Makgopa and Makhehleni Makhaula failing to capitilise on their openings in the 18-yard area inside th opening 15 minutes.
Pyramids, meanwhile, struggled to get their foot on the ball in the first half, which was reminiscent of how they performed in the first leg last weekend.
The opening goal did fall to the away side five minutes before the halftime break as Xoki's header fell kindly to the feet of Relebohile Mofokeng, who sent a first-time volley into the bottom corner.
Pirates' lead did not last too long as Pyramids restored parity in first-half stoppage time when Fiston Mayele turned home a cross from Mostafa Fathi at the near post with his seventh goal in the Champions League this campaign.
Pirates needed just six minutes to restore their lead in the second half when the young Nkota picked up the ball 20 yards and rifled the ball into the far corner.
However, the Buccaneers went to sleep just as they did in the first half after Pyramids equalised for a second time in the 57th minute as Mohamed Chibi did well to pick out substitute Ramadan Sobhi, who sent a fine header past Chaine.
The hosts continued to push for another goal, with Mayele going close on 67 minutes with a close-range header that forced Chaine into a fine reflex save on the line before the Pirates defence were able to clear.
Riveiro responded by refreshing his stall with 15 minutes left on the clock as Thalente Mbatha and Nkota made way for Kabelo Dlamini and Patrick Maswanganyi to see out the rest of the encounter.
However, Pyramids completed the turnaround with six minutes left on the clock when Mayele showed quick reactions to pounce on the rebound and fire past Chaine, who had initially saved Sodiq Ougola's header.
Pyramids advance to their first-ever Champions League final, where they will face Mamelodi Sundowns.
Here's how they lined up:
Pyramids: El Shenawy, Saad, Sharafeldin, Chibi, Eldin, Seifeldin, Toure, Abdelmonem, Elkarti, Mayele, Mohamed
Orlando Pirates: Chaine, Van Rooyen, Sibisi, Xoki, Mbokazi, Hotto, Makhaula, Mbatha, Nkota, Mofokeng, Makgopa
Subs: Buthelezi, Mako, Shandu, Ndlozi, Ndlondlo, Dlamini, Maswanganyi, Radiopane, Mabasa
