Esperance too good for Bucs

Orlando Pirates suffered their first defeat in the Caf Champions League group stages when they went 2-0 down to Tunisian giants Esperance at the Stade El Menzha yesterday.

The loss also saw Bucs lose their 27-match unbeaten streak in all competitions.

Esperance now top the Group B standings with eight points after four games, while Bucs remain on five points from the same number of games.

Bucs looked to be struggling from the outset, and it took the home team 16 minutes to get an opening goal courtesy of Anice Badri (below) after a well-worked set-piece.

The hosts almost scored a second when Linda Mtambo lost possession after slipping in the middle of the park. Esperance went straight on the counter-attack, but once again Bucs managed to keep them out.

Thembinkosi Lorch and Vincent Pule were trying to make something happen for the Buccaneers, but Esperance remained solid at the back.

Leading up to half-time, Sandilands made an incredible save to deny Esperance their second goal of the match, diving to his left to deny Chilane Chalali from inside the box.

Sandilands was back in the thick of things in the 53rd minute when he saved a close-range header from Mohamed Yakoubi and again from the same player following the resultant corner.

The Bucs keeper grew in confidence and made yet another incredible save in the 56th minute to deny Taha Khnissi.

Second-half substitutes Thamsanqa Gabuza and Justin Shonga combined well, but a shot from Shonga went just wide in the 65th minute.

The home side sealed the victory with a tap-in by Maitem Jouini in the final minute.

Pirates’ next Champions League game will be against Zimbabwe’s FC Platinum on March 8 at Orlando Stadium.