Jose Riveiro Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro will have his work cut out to inspire a win in Egypt. Photo: ITUMELENG ENGLISH Independent Media
Image: ITUMELENG ENGLISH Independent Media
Orlando Pirates’ CAF Champions League unbeaten run remains intact – but only just.
On a night when they needed to assert dominance and take control of their semi-final tie against Pyramids FC, the Buccaneers instead had to settle for a frustrating 0-0 draw at FNB Stadium on Saturday.
Worse still, it was VAR – not Pirates’ performance – that saved them from defeat.
The Champions League semi-final first leg between the Egyptian side and Pirates in Soweto may have been a goalless draw, but it was anything but dull.
For the neutral, it was an entertaining clash. For Pirates, it was an evening filled with missed opportunities, nervy moments and growing concern about what lies ahead in the return leg in Cairo.
Twice, Pirates were bailed out by the video assistant referee.
Just before halftime, Pyramids thought they had broken the deadlock through Fiston Mayele, only for VAR to correctly rule the goal out for offside.
Then, late in the second half, Soudiq Ougla appeared to have handed the Egyptians a dramatic winner, only for VAR to again intervene – this time for a handball in the build-up.
It was a warning shot. Actually, two.
And while the Buccaneers live to fight another day, their inability to break down the Egyptian giants at home is a major concern.
This was Pirates’ moment to strike – to take the game to Pyramids, seize the advantage and ride the wave of home support in Soweto.
But instead of imposing themselves, the hosts were second-best for large stretches of the match.
Their build-up play was pedestrian, their creativity stifled and their forward line too easily contained by the Pyramids’ disciplined back four.
Credit must be given to the visitors, who came with a plan and executed it expertly.
They were compact, physical and calculated in transition. And had it not been for the two VAR interventions, they might have left FNB Stadium with a famous win.
The Pirates midfield – usually so influential –lacked its usual punch, with players like Thalente Mbatha and Makhehlene Makhaula unable to dictate the tempo or open up Pyramids’ deep-lying defensive block.
The attacking trio, so often dynamic in this campaign, struggled to create clear-cut chances, leaving the home crowd restless and anxious as the clock ticked down.
Now, the pressure shifts to the return leg on Friday in Egypt (8pm kick-off) – a daunting proposition for any club, let alone one that failed to score at home.
Pyramids have been ruthless at their home ground, and they’ll be confident knowing they’ve already come through the toughest part of the tie unscathed.
For all of Pirates’ resilience in this Champions League campaign, the Cairo leg will be their biggest test yet.
The unbeaten streak is admirable, but if they can’t find a goal in hostile territory, it will mean little for coach Jose Riveiro’s team.
Saturday’s result wasn’t just a missed chance – it may have tilted the balance of the tie entirely.
And unless the Buccaneers can summon something special in Egypt, they’ll look back at FNB Stadium as the night they let the dream slip through their fingers.
