Orlando Pirates’ bid to advance to the group stage of the CAF Champions League ended in heartbreak after they were knocked out by St Éloi Lupopo in a dramatic 5–4 penalty shootout at a packed Orlando Stadium yesterday afternoon.
The Buccaneers produced a spirited performance to overturn a 3–0 first-leg deficit from Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of Congo, forcing the match into a penalty shootout after winning 3–0 in regulation time.
Backed by a roaring home crowd, Pirates started the match with intensity and purpose, dominating possession and pushing Lupopo deep into their own half.
Their persistence paid off midway through the first half when Masindi Nemtajela calmly slotted home the opening goal.
The match turned tense when both sides were reduced to 10 men, with Pirates’ Tshepang Moremi and an opponent receiving red cards for misconduct.
Pirates’ persistence finally paid off in the 67th minute when Yanela Mbuthuma rose high to head home Kabelo Dlamini’s well-taken corner, making it 2–0 and sending the crowd, joined by sports minister Gayton McKenzie, into jubilation.
With Lupopo opting to “park the bus” late in the game, Pirates’ determination was rewarded deep into stoppage time when Oswin Appollis drilled home a low shot to make it 3-0, levelling the aggregate score at 3–3 and sending the tie into a nerve-wracking penalty shootout. In the end, Lupopo held their nerve in the shootout, edging Pirates in sudden death to book their spot in the next round, while the Soweto giants were left to rue missed chances despite a valiant but futile comeback.
