South Africa’s
Pride and Joy in Africa
BY: Vuyolethu
Sithatu
As Orlando Pirates were
victorious in Egypt against Al Ahly, too many it could’ve been the night of their
lives and too many that is yet to come.
After an unconvincing performance
at Orlando Stadium in their 1-0 first leg victory over their African rivals,
much of the concerns raised were surrounding the fact that Orlando Pirates had once
lost on their return leg in the 20143/2014 CAF Champions League Final to Al Ahly SC.
With a lot of the odds
against them concerning history repeating itself and the threat delivered by
the fans, Orlando Pirates had to leave South Africa with a strong mind-set and
arrive in Cairo with a positive attitude.
In just the opening half of
the match, it fell evident that the Sea Robbers might have left their mental
toughness on the shores of Mzansi. The Soweto Giants were trailing by 2 goals
to null after half time thanks to Gabonese striker Malick Evouna who scored in
first-half injury time and too many in attendance at Suez Stadium in Suez, east
of Cairo felt like it was over as the Red Devils had the crowds backing. After
the half time talks, with no clear indication on how things would pan out coming
into the 2nd half of the second leg of the CAF Confederation Cup
semi-finals, Ezikamagebhula
came out with yet another disappointing start to another half, with just eight
minutes into the second half, Al Ahly bagged their second. It took substitute
Kermit Erasmus to come with the blue & red pens to rectify their first half
mistakes and write their own story for the night after he scored and put Ezikamagebhula
ahead on away gaols in the 57th minute. The man who is in African
Form, was to follow, Thamsanqa Gabuza scored a deflected second gaol in the 75th
minute, and it was already game on for the Bucs who proved yet again that they
one powerhouse to reckon when it comes to their African Excellency.
Thabo
Matlaba ensured that Pirates put out a statement to whoever they would be
meeting in the final; that they are out to win it, when he scored a third for
the team on that night in dying minutes of that match.
The
strike by Matlaba wasn’t enough as Amr Gamal pulled one back for Ahly in injury time and it was all left
for Thabo Rakhale who finished it off and added salt to the wounds of the “Club of The Century”, Al Ahly as he
scored the fourth and final goal which saw the Buccaneers show all the grit and
fight as they humiliated Al Ahly to a 4-3 home defeat and reaching the final of
CAF Confederations Cup final by 5-3 on aggregate.
Pirates will meet Etoile du Sahel in the
two-legged final late next month. The Tunisian club withstood a charge from
Zamalek in their second leg in Cairo, losing 3-0, which was enough to go
through 5-4 on aggregate.
Much can expected on the both evenings of
the two-legged finals.
But what needs to be put to the spotlight is
the excellent string of result which has prevailed continuously under the mentorship of Eric Tinkler, but
most importantly the character which Ezimnyama Ngenkani have shown. They have been fighting throughout the
battlefields of African, emulate the class of 95, displaying flair, finesse and
flamboyance. It has been a team performance and individual brilliance has been
there but they have soldiered on in solidarity. Barely having an off season and
by doing so, maintaining consistency in their performance every time they play
in the CCC. Regardless of the slow start to the domestic league, they have shown
great intentions in obtaining continental glory. They have recorded wins from
the word “impossible”, beating the best of the best.
With
Kaizer Chiefs failing to do what Pirates has done, which is progress further
and further on when participating in continental competitions, it is fitting to
say that Pirates is more dominant continentally compared to Chiefs, who on the
other hand are more dominant nationally.
What’s
also fitting to question is that can Chiefs transfer their domestic momentum or
rather status into their continental campaign and can Orlando Pirates on the
other hand transfer their continental momentum into their domestic campaign?
Well
there is much to look out for concerning these two Soweto Giants… Both forever
on a quest to maintain their winning reputations as powerhouses of South
African football.
The
World of Marvelous Football Would Like To Wish Orlando Pirates; Buccaneers,
Bucs, Ezikamagebhula, Sea Robbers, Ghosts, Happy People, Amabhakabhaka,
Ezimnyama Ngenkani, all the best in their quest to continental glory. You have
made South Africa’s football fraternity proud.
 |
| Thabo Rakhale celebrating his goal with Thabo Qalinge |
Image
by: AMR ABDALLAH
DALSH / REUTERS
Post Written By: Vuyolethu Sithatu
@MAVUYOSTAR
