Orlando Pirates have crashed out of the CAF Champions League after losing 5-4 on penalties to Botswana’s Jwaneng Galaxy on Friday night. The aggregate score was 1-1, before the penalty kicks.
Young sensation Relebohile Mofokeng missed the only penalty of the game, as Jwaneng advanced to the group stages of the continental competition.
The stakes were high for Pirates as they needed to score two goals or more and ensure that Jwaneng does not find the back of the net.
As expected, the Buccaneers started the game like a house on fire and took the game to the visitors.
In-form striker Zakhele Lepasa lodged the first strike at goal, when he connected well with the ball from a delightful cross from Patrick Maswanganyi, but his glancing header inside the box went straight at the goalkeeper.
Towards half-time, Pirates kept on pilling up the pressure against a side that seemed very comfortable to sit back and absorb the pressure.
Pirates kept on knocking on the door but could not penetrate a stubborn Jwaneng defense and went into the break goalless.
Going into the second half, Bucs coach Jose Riveiro made an instant reaction and introduced exciting prospect Karim Kimvuidi for midfielder Ndabayithethwa Ndlodlo.
Just like the first half, the home side continued to put pressure on the Galaxy defense, as they picked up from where they left off in the first stanza.
It was wave after wave, with the likes of Lepasa and Maswanganyi coming close to breaking the deadlock, but their chances did not trouble the shot-stopper.
However, in the 66th minute, the Jwaneng defense would eventually crack as they fumbled inside the box when they failed to deal with the strike of substitute striker Evidence Makgopa, when the ball took a wicked deflection and took a frustrated Pirates crowed into a frenzy.
Shortly after the goal, coach Morena Ramoreboli’s men had no choice but to dismantle the wall of defenders that they had and registered their first shot of the game in the 71st minute.
Kermit Erasmus almost increased their lead in the 76th minute, when he pulled a venomous shot from a long way out, but his effort could only strike the woodwork and go out for a goal kick.
Pirates kept on banging on the door for the late winner, but it was not meant to be as they were forced straight to penalties.
Pirates’ penalty kickers: Hotto (scored); Sibisi (scored); Xoki (scored); Mofokeng (missed); Maswanganyi (scored)
Jwaneng’ penalty kickers: Wendell (scored); Sesinyi (scored); Masuku (scored); Mpolokang (scored); Baruti (scored)
Follow @SundayWorldZA on Twitter and @sundayworldza on Instagram, or like our Facebook Page, Sunday World, by clicking here for the latest breaking news in South Africa.
