Bucs go into second leg in hostile Tunis with 0-0 draw behind them

TUNIS has not been a happy hunting ground for South African sides, with teams having to contend with a strong home side, an intimidating atmosphere and at times dubious decisions from match officials.

Orlando Pirates will be the fifth side from SA to play Esperance in the Tunisian capital — in the Caf Champions League semifinal on Saturday. They will hope to be the first to win after what has so far been a tale of woe.

They need only ask Soweto rivals Kaizer Chiefs how factors outside of the game can weigh in favour of the home team after the Amakhosi suffered a suspicious 40 loss there in the Champions League in 2005 in a match that eventually led to the referee being suspended.

He awarded the home side two soft penalties inside the opening 15 minutes. Chiefs never recovered from that shock and conceded two more goals.

Mamelodi Sundowns were the first local side to take on Esperance in their own backyard and nearly won. But two late goals and a 3-2 defeat in the group stages in 2000 sealed their fate. Daniel Mudau and Isaac Shai had given Sundowns a 2-1 lead going into the final 10 minutes, but they then allowed Brazilian Reinaldo and centre-back Radhi Jaidi to score for the home side.

Sundowns returned the following year after again drawing the Tunisians in the pool stages, this time earning a 0-0 draw.

SuperSport United also made the trip to Tunis in the 2004 Champions League pool stages but lost 2-0.

Pirates go into Saturday’s game having drawn the first leg 00 in Orlando a fortnight ago.