By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Orlando Pirates have progressed to the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League after defeating MC Alger 1-0 on aggregate at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday evening.
Pirates won the first leg of the quarterfinal 1-0 in Algiers last week through a Mohau Nkota goal.
The semifinals this month will pit South African and Egyptian clubs against each other for places in the two-leg final.
Mamelodi Sundowns face record 12-time Champions League winners Al Ahly while Pirates meet Pyramids, the only semifinalists not to have won the competition.
Pirates were the only group winners to succeed in the quarterfinals, with Al Hilal of Sudan, FAR Rabat of Morocco and Esperance of Tunisia all eliminated.
Mouloudia came to Soweto confident of overturning the aggregate deficit and the former champions had several late chances to win the second leg and force a penalty shootout.
Abdelkader Menezia had a powerful header saved by perfectly positioned goalkeeper Sipho Chaine, then fellow substitute Ivorian Kipre Zunon wasted a close-range chance by blazing wide.
Pirates also had an added-time scoring opportunity as another substitute, Tshegofatso Mabasa, swivelled in the area and his low shot struck the base of the far post.
The tempers boiled over in the closing stages as the Algerians pushed for a comeback, but the Soweto giants held on and confirmed passage to the semi-finals where they will face Pyramids.
There was fracas at the end of the match with Alger players fighting with the match officials. It was more or less similar incident that took place when Sundowns hosted Esperance in Loftus Versveld stadium in Tshwane.
The evidence pic.twitter.com/3weZoCs29K
— Panyaza Lesufi (@Lesufi) April 9, 2025
Meanwhile Stellenbosch FC put in a solid performance to stun defending champions Zamalek 1-0 in the CAF Confederation Cup quarterfinal second leg in Cairo.