Pirates closer to play-offs

Pirates won 4-3 on aggregate ORLANDO Pirates edged closer to the Caf Confederations Cup play-off round with a nervy 4-3 aggregate win over Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) in Kampala yesterday.

Pirates wanted to protect a 21 lead from three weeks ago in Soweto but got an early scare when goalkeeper Brighton Mhlongo was beaten in the 36th minute.

At half time, URA led and were desperate to contain the Buccaneers who needed a goal to regain control of the tie. It came in the 52nd minute when Mpho Makola levelled matters.

Then skipper Oupa Manyisa scored a second in the 68th minute, putting Pirates in the driving seat until URA pulled another one back to make it 2-2. The aggregate score proved enough for Bucs, though.

Pirates coach Eric Tinkler opted for Lennox Bacela to lead the attacking line instead of the usual suspects, Lehlohonolo Majoro and Kermit Erasmus. Both started on the bench.

But the coach will not be questioned too much given that Pirates return home with a place in the second round of the Confederations Cup. In two weeks, the Buccaneers will travel to either CF Mounana of Gabon or Zimbabwe’s Power Dynamos before welcoming one of the teams to South Africa for the second leg next month.

The Buccaneers are the first of South Africa’s big three clubs to progress to the next round in continental football.

Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns are in CAF Champions League action today, facing Raja Casablanca in Morocco and TP Mazembe in the DRC respectively. —Staff Reporter