A tense first-leg of the CAF Champions League semi-final saw Orlando Pirates and Pyramids FC locked in a 0-0 stalemate, the drama punctuated by two decisive VAR interventions.
Pirates missed an opportunity to take an advantage against Pyramids in the first-leg of the CAF Champions League semi-final, making the return-leg in Egypt a mountain to climb as they look to book a spot in the final.
Pirates made it to the last four after defeating MC Alger 1-0 in the two-legged quarter-final, while the Egyptian side beat AS FAR 4-3 on aggregate.
Meanwhile, Pirates are the only team that has yet to suffer a defeat in the 2024/25 Champions League campaign. In a fierce fight against the log leaders of the Egyptian Premier League, the Soweto giants had a positive start to the match, creating more scoring opportunities.
Pirates’ first shot on target was in the 11th minute, after Thalente Mbatha unleashed a long-range shot that drew a save from Pyramids’ goalkeeper Ahmed El Shenawy.
A few minutes later, the Ghosts had another opportunity to find an opening goal on the night after Relebohile Mofokeng played a good pass to Patrick Maswanganyi, who saw his powerful shot go inches wide of the target.
VAR RULES OUT FISTON MAYELE’S GOAL
With the first-half nearing its closing stages, Pyramids found the back of the net through Fiston Mayele, however, the goal was ruled offside by the Video Assistant Referee [VAR].
Pirates and Pyramids went to the half-time break with the scoreline deadlocked at 0-0, leaving the two teams with all to do in the second-half.
In the last 45 minutes of the match, Pyramids piled the pressure on Pirates after creating a handful of scoring chances.
Mayele had another opportunity to give his side the lead in the 61st minute, but his header went over the crossbar. Pyramids had a second goal ruled out by VAR in the dying minutes of the match.
The highly tactical match ended with a goalless draw after the two outfits could not be separated in the 90 minutes.
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