HAPPY PEOPLE
Tense draw does the job
Orlando Pirates devotees celebrate after the Buccaneers ’ advance to the semifinals of the Caf Champions League following their goalless draw against seven-time champions Al Ahly at Orlando Stadium yesterday. Pirates will take on Group B winners Esperance in the semifinals over two legs on October 6 and 19
ORLANDO Pirates’ African Champions League campaign continues into the semifinals with another stirring performance that just could not see Bucs beat Al Ahly in yesterday’s 0-0 Group A draw.
The Buccaneers became the first South African club to reach the semifinals of the continental showpiece since last achieving the feat in 2006.
They will meet Group B’s convincing winners Esperance de Tunis over two legs on October 6 and 19.
A clearly dominant Bucs could have beaten superbly organised Al Ahly, who knew a draw was enough to top the group.
Chances for Thulasizwe Mbuyane and Daine Klate in the second half, especially, would have gone in on any other day.
Pirates ’ back-to-back victories against both Egyptian giants in August, 3-0 away to Ahly and 4-1 at home to Zamalek, boosted Bucs’ quest to reach the semifinals.
With Zamalek winning 41 yesterday against Congo’s AC Leopards in Egypt, Ahly finished on 11 points, Pirates on 10, and Leopards and Zamalek on seven.
Ahly meet Cameroon’s Cotonsport, who finished on eight points in Group B.
Playing for a draw, the Egyptians had the luxury of parking a double-decker bus in two defensive midfielders Rami Rabia and Shehab Ahmed.
Pirates played with tempo in the first half, trying to run at Ahly. But the Egyptians were characteristically hard to break down.
Sifiso Myeni fluffed a scoring chance in the 29th minute when he missed the target with a low shot.
In another chance ground out of the Egyptians’ stinginess, Klate got in ahead of the defence to volley Tlou Segolela’s cross past Ahly goalkeeper Sherif Ekramy’s right upright.
With Zamalek having come from a goal down to lead Leopards 2-1 at half time, Bucs must have come out in the second half with permutations racing through their minds. Perhaps a draw would be enough.
But Pirates still had to press for a win, while trying not to concede, as a draw in both matches would have knocked Bucs out.
The pressure of a continental group stages final day showed, with nervous touches from Klate and Lennox Bacela on the edge of the Ahly area.
As news came through that Zamalek were 4-1 up, Bucs knew a draw was enough – they just had to ensure they did not lose.
But there was still a chance to win the group, as a pass inside from Bacela in the 70th saw substitute Mbuyane in the best position of the game to score for Bucs. The striker blasted high from close range.
They had a chance to lose it too, as Ahly’s top scorer in the group stages, Walid Sooliman, broke free on the right to shoot inches wide with his shot across goal.
Klate ’ s point-blank header from Happy Jele’s cross in the 83rd went straight at Ekramy.