Pirates draw and get quarters
PIRATES finished the group stage of the Confederation Cup on a mild note en route to their second quarter-final in a row after being held to a goalless draw by Al-Ittihad at Orlando Stadium last night.
Pirates finish Group B after four wins, one draw and one loss, ending with 13 points. They’ll play the return leg at home in the last eight, while Ittihad finished as the group’s runners-up and also qualified for the last eight.
Pirates might have only taken a point from this match, but they’ll take a lot of positives from the game, such as welcoming back their supporters for the first time in two years after the relaxation of the Covid-19 regulations during the recent Fifa window.
After being knocked out of all the domestic competitions, Pirates’ only realistic chance of winning silverware lies in this continental tournament. But they’ll have to work hard to win the trophy.
They came into this clash on the back of an impressive run in the group stage, and started with a strong Xl, with Kwame Peprah leading the line.
But perhaps, for their returning fans, the return of Gabadinho Mhango to the matchday squad will be most pleasing. The Malawian was on the bench, making his first appearance since impressing in the Africa Cup of Nations back in January.
The Buccaneers started with a high tempo, but they didn’t make any successful inroads into the final third. The visitors were happy to keep a high line and divert all the pressure, forcing the home side to take shots from distance.
For their efforts in trying to break down Ittihad’s wall, Pirates were awarded two identical free-kicks just outside the visitors’ box. But Kabelo Dlamini failed to hit the target on both occasions, with his shots sailing wide.
Nevertheless, Dlamini was unfortunate not to grab an assist but Fortune Makaringe failed to direct the ball towards an empty net with the goal at his mercy as goalkeeper Maud Allafi was in no man’s land.
The visitors had a bright start to the second half, keeping Pirates’ defence on their toes, so much so that they were unfortunate not to take the lead after Mohamed Zubya placed his shot wide of the target after a corner-kick.
With the clock winding down, Pirates opted to throw on some fresh legs, with Mhango and Thembinkosi Lorch taking the field. The latter was greeted by a standing ovation from the fans after being side-lined for the last three months.
In the end, though, Pirates huffed and puffed but they couldn’t get the three points.
That won’t matter much as they are through to the quarter-final of the competition with an undefeated record, a feat that will motivate them going forward.