Home SPORTS Orlando Pirates Crash Out of CAF Champions League

Orlando Pirates Crash Out of CAF Champions League

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Orlando Pirates Vs St Eloi Lupopo
St Eloi Lupopo edge Pirates in penalty shootout



Orlando Pirates' CAF Champions League campaign ended in heartbreak as they lost to St Eloi Lupopo in a penalty shootout after the tie finished 3-3 on aggregate.


Pirates scored their second goal in the 68th minute, capitalizing on their dominance in the opposition's defensive third...


Orlando Pirates staged an impressive comeback against St Eloi Lupopo, overcoming a 3-0 deficit from the first leg to level the tie 3-3 on aggregate. However, their CAF Champions League journey came to an end as they lost the subsequent penalty shootout.


The Buccaneers dominated the return match, mirroring the scoreline from the first leg with a 3-0 win. Despite their strong performance, it wasn't enough to see them through to the group stages, ultimately falling short in the penalty shootout.


Having been semi-finalists last year and unlucky to lose to eventual champions Pyramids FC at that stage, they'll be bitterly disappointed to go out at this stage. Orlando Pirates dominated the second leg and deserved their win, although they needed a 95th-minute goal to take the game to penalties.


The Buccaneers will know they were the better team on the night, but ultimately came up short in Lubumbashi last weekend. The tie was lost, and they couldn't overcome the deficit despite a thrilling comeback at home.


Masindi Nemtajela gave Pirates the lead in the 39th minute with a well-struck shot from the edge of the box, drilling the ball into the bottom corner. The goal was a fitting reward for the home side's sustained pressure, although they hadn't quite translated their dominance into clear-cut chances. The 24-year-old striker celebrated his first goal for Pirates since joining from Marumo Gallants, but his involvement was cut short as he was substituted at halftime.



The goal sparked chaos as St Eloi Lupopo players attempted to prevent Pirates from restarting the game quickly. The situation escalated, and both teams were eventually reduced to 10 men. However, the visitors suffered the injustice of having the wrong player sent off after Amale Mukoko headbutted Nemtajela and Tshepang Moremi retaliated with a push that led to Mukoko being dismissed.




Referee Mohamed Ali Moussa handed out a contentious red card to defender Chris Maniania, despite the player indicating his teammate was at fault. Another player, Moremi, was also dismissed. Meanwhile, Mukoko, who appeared to be the instigator of the melee, surprisingly escaped punishment and remained on the field.


Pirates scored their second goal in the 68th minute, capitalizing on their dominance in the opposition's defensive third. Kabelo Dlamini's corner was flicked on by Yanela Mbuthuma at the near post and deflected off a St Eloi Lupopo defender into the net. The defender had little chance as the ball ricocheted off him and into the goal, leaving Pirates just a quarter of the match to seal their comeback.


Pirates' attack remained threatening, and in the dying seconds of stoppage time, Oswin Appollis created space on the edge of the box with quick feet. His shot took a deflection off a defender and wrong-footed goalkeeper Simon Omossola. The St Eloi Lupopo players were left stunned, knowing that the goal, which would have been a crucial equalizer, came at the final whistle.




Pirates' joy was short-lived as they were thwarted in the penalty shootout. Deon Hotto's weak effort was saved by Omossola, despite being headed for the corner. The shootout went to sudden death, where Mbuthuma's crucial penalty sailed more than a yard wide of the target, handing St Eloi Lupopo the win and a spot in the Champions League group stages.




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