Pirates draw but edge closer to quarters
Orlando Pirates seemed wary of taking the more adventurous approach needed to earn three points against ES Setif at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday, settling for a 0-0 Caf Confederation Cup Group A draw.
The result may have left group leaders Bucs (nine points) needing a draw in their last match against Enyimba in Nigeria on Wednesday to reach the quarterfinals.
If Enyimba (six points) win or draw against Al Ahli Benghazi (four points) on Thursday, Pirates will be through before their final game. If Ahli win, then Bucs will need a draw or win in Nigeria. Pirates beat Enyimba 2-1 in their second Group A game.
Setif, on five points, seem out of contention for the quarterfinals ahead of their final match at home to Ahli. They showed their disgruntlement with a scuffle with Pirates players entering the tunnel at the end of the draw.
Significantly, if Bucs qualify, history will be made, with three SA teams in continental quarterfinals for the first time, as Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs have reached that stage in the Champions League.
In North African tradition, Setif were physical and organised. They were aggressive too, and that showed in a first half where perhaps Pirates seemed overly circumspect.
Early on, Vincent Pule’s cross-cum-shot forced a save from goalkeeper Sofiane Khediaria. On 20 minutes, Siyabonga Mpontshane came 25m out of his box to intercept a ball being run on to by striker Daniel Lomotey, and stretched for the challenge, seemingly pulling a thigh muscle. He was replaced by Wayne Sandilands.
Pirates missed a sitter three minutes into the second half when Pule put Fortune Makaringe through to scythe down the right when Tshegofatsho Mabasa, from 6m out, somehow shot over the bar.
Setif came back strongly and pushed for a winner in the last half-hour. In the 61st minute, Thulani Hlatshwayo fouled Mohamed El Amine Amoura inches outside the box, leading to Akram Djhanit’s free kick that forced a block from Sandilands.