Orlando Pirates were forced into a share of the spoils in Saturday’s CAF Champions League encounter against Stade d’Abidjan, which ended in a 1-1 draw at Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny. Despite what was a disappointing result, they climbed atop the standings in Group C with group rivals Al Ahly and CR Belouizdad still yet to lock horns.
Crowned champions in the same city back in 1995, the Soweto Giants returned to the historic battleground as one of two teams still unbeaten in their group. They were looking to push their tally to seven points on the halfway mark of the group stage, with top spot beckoning. Missed opportunities however plagued their efforts, particularly in the first half where they were the more dominant side.
Makhehleni Makhaula and Relebohile Mofokeng were both afforded chances at goal inside the opening 15 minutes. However, both players placed their shots off target as they looked to push ahead. These were the first of many attempts at the goal manned by Drissa Bamba who was mostly unthreatened despite being by far the busier of the two men between the sticks.
The Ivorian shot-stopper was made to strain in keeping out a shot from Mohau Nkota 30 minutes in when he dived low to his left after the Bucs forward was unselfishly played in by Evidence Makgopa. He could have been called upon late in the first half, but the home side’s defence managed to scramble to deal with the danger posed by a Bucs set piece they threatened deep inside the penalty area.
Following some close calls, Pirates were afforded a golden opportunity to make the most of their ascendancy as Mofokeng was brought down inside the box. This resulted in a penalty, taken by Makgopa who effortlessly sent Bamba the wrong way with seconds remaining before the break.
The pace increased notably in the second half as Les Yéyés looked to draw level. It would only take them nine minutes to find the equaliser which was provided by defender Ousmane Méité who fired in from close range.
Pirates had the opportunity to restore their lead in the 58th minute when Makgopa was released out on the left flank. The chance was however spurned as Bamba came out on top in a one-on-one situation.
Spurred on by the equaliser, Abidjan looked a different side for much of the second half and threatened to steal a late winner. Ben Guel Kouyate had a couple of close calls on either side of a wayward header at the other end from Bucs replacement striker Tshegofatso Mabasa.
A late free kick for the visitors could have put them back in front with the final whistle fast approaching. Substitute midfielder Kabelo Dlamini however directed his effort over the crossbar.
This was followed by a tense finish as the hosts looked to complete their comeback, but the Buccaneers managed to survive a shaky period towards the end to maintain a stalemate they would have wished to convert into a crucial victory on the road.
Pirates XI: Chaine, Sibisi, Sesane, Van Rooyen, Mako (Dlamini 64′), Makhaula (Kimvuidi 87′), Mbatha (Rasebotja 73′), Nkota (Gilberto 64′), Mofokeng, Hotto, Makgoba (Mabasa 64′).
