It doesn’t rain but pours for Orlando Pirates after they were eliminated from the Caf Champions League tournament losing 2-1 on aggregate to Zambian side Green Eagles in the preliminary stages.
Pirates were held to a 1-all draw at Orlando Stadium on Saturday night. They had lost the first leg 1-0 in Lusaka two weeks ago.
This is Eagles’ maiden appearance in the CAFCL and head coach Aggrey Chiyangi says all they needed was to manage the game well against an experienced opponent like Bucs.
It’s a disastrous result for Pirates who were in the CAFCL group stages last season.
They lost Milutin “Micho” Sredojevic as their head coach to Zamalek last week and have now gone matches without winning a game.
They hit the woodwork three times in this game and caretaker coach Rhulani Mokwena says he can’t fault his players.
The Eagles will now meet 2018 CAFCL semi-finalists and Angolan giants Primeiro de Agosto in the first round with the winner making it through to the group stages and the loser dropping down to the CAFC Confederation Cup.
Happy Jele’s goal was the first time Pirates had scored in four matches, but they conceded immediately after that goal. Mokwena was asked if lack of confidence inside the dressing room could be another issue contributing to these results.
Pirates were also knocked out of the MTN8 when they lost 1-0 to Highlands Park in the quarterfinals.
☠ ? NEXT MATCH ?
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? 28 August 2019
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? 19h30
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– Report by Velile Mnyandu
