Orlando Pirates booked a spot in the CAF Champions League next season following a 1-1 draw against SuperSport United on Saturday in the DStv Premiership at Orlando Stadium.
Tshegofatso Mabasa opened the scoring in the 40th minute. Gape Moralo levelled matters in the 61st minute scoring his first goal of the season. In the first leg played in December 2023, the Tshwane side won 3-1.
Below are the talking points as Pirates and SuperSport shared spoils.
A DECENT CROWD TURNED UP AT ORLANDO STADIUM
There was a decent crowd at Esigodini as the Bucs faithful came out in numbers to support their team in the last game of the season.
CHANGES IN THE LINE-UPS
SuperSport only made one change to the team that defeated Moroka Swallows 2-0 last time out. PSL Young Player of the Season nominee Shandre Campbell replaced Bradley Grobler. Campbell was suspended for one match after collecting four yellow cards.
There were three changes in the Pirates side that lost 1-0 against TS Galaxy. The trio of Deon Hotto, Thabiso Sesane and Monnapule Saleng came in for Nkosinathi Sibisi, Innocent Maela and Kabelo Dlamini.
TSHEGOFATSO MABASA WINS THE GOLDEN BOOT
In-form striker Tshegofatso Mabasa won this season’s Golden Boot award. The goal poacher found the back of the net 16 times this season.
ORLANDO PIRATES FINISH SECOND ON THE LOG
The result saw the Happy People end the campaign in second place just like the last campaign. They collected 50 points, on par with Stellenbosch FC, but they had a better goal difference.
SUPERSPORT UNITED FAIL TO QUALIFY FOR CAF CONFEDERATION CUP
SuperSport missed a golden opportunity to qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup next season as they finished sixth. Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns who will be playing in the Champions League are in the final of the Nedbank Cup, where the winner automatically qualifies for the Confed Cup.
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