Johannesburg – Orlando Pirates have qualified for the group stages of African Champions League despite going down 1-0 to TP Mazembe in Lubumbashi in match marred by on-field and off-field controversy.
The match was not televised in South Africa after the SABC crew were allegedly thrown out of the stadium for unknown reasons. The refereeing also seemed to go against the Pirates side.
But The Ghost soldiered on and it was the heroics of goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa that kept them in the clash as he saved two penalties. Captain Lucky Legwathi was sent off for a reportedly soft challenge, taking Pirates down to 10 men, before five minutes injury time as added at the end of the game. Another goal by Mazembe would have seen them go through, but Pirates held on.
The Buccaneers advanced to the next round on a 3-2 aggregate after winning the home tie 3-1.
Orlando Pirates: Senzo Meyiwa, Happy Jele, Patrick Phungwayo, Lucky Lekgwathi, Ayanda Gcaba, Onyekachi Okonkwo, Lehlogonolo Maselesa, Rudolf Bester, Sifiso Myeni, Tlou Segolela, Collins Mbesuma. – IOL