Stalemate in Soweto as Pirates and Pyramids leave semi-final on a knife edge

Stalemate in Soweto as Pirates and Pyramids leave semi-final on a knife edge

By Admin

Orlando Pirates and Pyramids FC played out a tense goalless draw in the first leg of their TotalEnergies CAF Champions League semi-final at FNB Stadium on Saturday.

In a contest dominated by VAR drama, near misses and tactical discipline, neither side managed to find the breakthrough, leaving everything to play for in next weekend’s second leg in Cairo.

Both teams had goals ruled out by VAR—Fiston Mayele’s first-half strike and Sodiq Ougola’s late finish were both chalked off for handball in the build-up, dampening what could have been decisive moments for the Egyptian visitors.

Orlando Pirates, making their first semi-final appearance since 2013, started brightly and nearly went ahead in the 15th minute when Patrick Maswanganyi rattled the post from long range.

Tshegofatso Mabasa and Thalente Mbatha also came close as the hosts probed with intent, but were repeatedly denied by a well-organised Pyramids defence.

At the other end, Pyramids FC—making their debut at this stage of the competition—relied on their structured approach and attacking bursts led by Mostafa Fathi and Blati Touré.

Despite enjoying large spells of possession in the second half, they struggled to breach a Pirates backline expertly marshalled by Nkosinathi Sibisi and goalkeeper Sipho Chaine.

Substitutions by both sides in the second half, including the introduction of Evidence Makgopa and Ahmed Atef, added attacking impetus, but neither side could create clear-cut opportunities in a tight, physical encounter.

The result sets up a high-stakes second leg in Cairo, where Pyramids FC will hope to make home advantage count. But with Pirates’ impressive away form in this year’s campaign—they are unbeaten in their last three away games—the South Africans will travel with quiet confidence.

As the match ended with no goals, it was the defensive organisation and tactical rigidity that stole the spotlight, making for a cerebral clash between experience and ambition on the continental stage.