South African giants Pirates dumped out of CAF CL

• They lost on penalties to Jwaneng Galaxy of Botswana
• They had won the return tie 1-0 to tie aggregate score at 1-1
• Mamelodi Sundowns look to make ammends

South African giants Orlando Pirates have been dumped out of the CAF Champions League ater losing 5-4 on post match penalties to Botswana side Jwaneng Galaxy. Pirates won the return tie in South Africa 1-0, taking the aggregate score to 1-1 after Galaxy won the first leg by the same margin.

Pirates teenage midfielder Relebohile Mofokeng unfortunately saw his penalty saved, with Galaxy scoring all their five.

Pirates had brought on Ghanaian goalkeeper Richard Ofori at full time to help them on penalties, but he couyldn’t do much to help

Wendell Rudath, Thabang Sesinyi, Nqobizitha Masuku and Kutlwelo Mpolokang scored the first four for Galaxy, before Benson Mangolo stepped up to score the fifth and the winner for the visitors.

The Bucaneers scored their penalties through Dean Hotto, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Tapelo Xoki and Patrick Maswanganyi.

In regular time, Pirates had chances to score, but couldn’t find the back of the net in the first half. With pressure building, they added more effort in the second half, and they were rewarded just over the hour mark.

Makgopa make immediate impact off the bench 

Evidence Makgopa made an immediate impact moments after being brought on with his shot deflected inside the box and beating the keeper. They would however fail to crack in a second goal that would have given them outright passage, and the game was decided on penalties.

Meanwhile, compatriots Mamelodi Sundowns will look to make South African amends. The PSL defending champions are not taking chances, despite having a healthy 4-0 lead over Burundian side Bumamuru heading into the second leg.

Mamelodi Sundowns celebrate during a past match. PHOTO/Sundowns

Sundowns only need to avoid defeat, and even at worse, lose 3-0 but will still make the group stages of the competition.

Midfielder, Rivaldo Coetzee, believes that the second leg match won’t be easy even though they have an advantage.

Never an easy game 

“This is the Champions League, there is never an easy game even though we are 4-0 up after the first leg. We continue to prepare for every game the same because it’s the culture of the club and we want to win every match, so we will go into this match with the same mentality,” Coetzee told the club’s official website.

He added; “It’s a whole new game so I think Bumamuru FC will come out maybe a little bit more aggressive than they did in the first leg because they know what they have to overcome if they want to go through. We also know what we need to do because it’s our duty to the club and ourselves to put us in the group stages.”

Sundowns are looking to clinch their second CAF CL title, having done so in 2016 for their first. Over the last three seasons, despite being heavy favourites, Masandawana have struggled to replicate their domestic form on the continent.

Last season, they were beaten in the semis by Wydad Athletic Club, despite having been one of the big favourites for the title.