CAFCL: Orlando Pirates hold on tight for clean sheet to advance past MC Alger

Photo Credit: Orlando Pirates

Another massive victory for South African football on Wednesday! Orlando Pirates are through to the semifinals of the CAF Champions League after the Bucs held off a second leg charge from Algeria's MC Alger to get a 0-0 result and win 1-0 on aggregate.

MC Alger came out determined to attack away from home but came up against a stubborn Pirates defense that is well known for being a difficult unit to break down. While the hosts struggled to craft opportunities for themselves in front of their home crowd, they managed to neutralize MCA in the first half.

It was more of the same in the second half as well. MCA showed some promise but were vulnerable at times to the counter-attack from Pirates' pacey attack. MCA captain Ayoub Abdellaoui got on the end of a corner kick in the 54th minute but his header deflected off Pirates winger Deon Hotto and wide of the goal.

A furious push at the end saw MCA create more danger but Bucs goalkeeper Sipho Chaine remained calm and unbothered.

Deep into second half stoppage time, Pirates right back Deano van Rooyen was late on a clearance attempt and Zakaria Draoui went down but it appeared that there was not enough in the challenge to warrant a penalty despite furious protests from MCA including their technical team. Pirates are now through to the semifinals where Egypt's Pyramids FC await. The first leg will take place at Orlando Stadium on either April 18 or April 19.