CAFCL: Orlando Pirates versus Pyramids fixture still open – says Riveiro

Photo Credit - Orlando Pirates Football Club.

Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro believes they still have a chance to qualify for the final of the CAF Champions League despite their 0-0 first leg semi-final draw against Pyramids FC at FNB Stadium on Saturday.

It was a frustrating evening endured by the Soweto Giants, who would have welcomed some distance between themselves and the North Africans midway through the tie. The result in Soweto amplified the importance of their upcoming trip to Cairo, with all possibilities still open in the race to secure spots in the final.

The visiting Egyptian side looked like they would head into the half-time break leading against Pirates when Fiston Mayele volleyed past Chaine, but the goal was overturned after VAR revealed that he had drifted offside prior to receiving the ball.

Just as they ended the first half, the Egyptians managed to place the ball in the back of the net in the final moments of the second period. This was when Walid El Karti nodded in from close range. However, the celebrations were cut short as the referee consulted VAR once more, with replays showing that the ball had been handled before trickling over the line.

“I don’t know, the game just finished 30 seconds ago, a lot of emotions, a tough game, control for us, opportunities for them. Not a bad result considering that the goals away from home can be double,” Riveiro told reporters after the game.

“We (need) to have a very good game in Egypt if we want to go through. But I’m really proud of the boys, yeah, still open. Yeah, but that’s football, opportunities none of us managed to score a goal. So, everything is open for the second-leg 0-0, not a bad game. I think it was not a 0-0 game, probably both teams created enough to score one goal.”

The draw enabled Pirates to keep their unbeaten record in the ongoing competition, and now shift focus to the deciding leg on Friday, April 25, at 30 June Stadium in Cairo, Egypt.