Buccaneers held in a draw in Abidjan

Orlando Pirates moved to the top of Group C in the CAF Champions League despite being held 1-1 by hosts Stade d’Abidjan at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium on Saturday night.

The Buccaneers will be disappointed at a second draw from three group stage matches thus far, having dominated most of this match – especially in the first half – only for Evidence Makgopa’s opening goal to be cancelled out early in the second stanza by Ousmane Meite.

Pirates top Group C on five points, while Abidjan are bottom on one point. Al Ahly and CR Beluizdad occupy second and third respectively, and will meet in their catch-up match next weekend, due to the former’s participation in the Fifa Intercontinental Cup.

Pirates bossed the game from the early minutes and created numerous half-chances through the course of the first stanza, though the likes of Evidence Makgopa, Deon Hotto, Mohau Nkota and Relebohile Mofokeng were unable to capitalise.

However, in injury time before the interval, Mofokeng was tripped up by Mansou Kouakou in the 18-yard area and the visitors were awarded a penalty. Makgopa struck home from 12 yards to see Pirates 1-0 up at the break.

Stade d’Abidjan were much improved in the second half and levelled the game at 1-1 in the 53rd minute. A free kick was headed back across goal by Adama Traore and Ousmane Meite nodded home from close range via the underside of the crossbar.

The Buccaneers should have reclaimed the lead five minutes later when Makgopa sprung the offside trap and was faced with only Drissa Bamba to beat, but the goalkeeper made a fine save.

The South African side looked the likelier scorers in the final quarter of the match, especially with Kabelo Dlamini, Tshegofatso Mabasa and Gilberto having boosted their attacking impetus, but ultimately the match closed out at 1-1.

The teams will have their return match early in 2025, with Pirates hosting Stade d’Abidjan in Soweto on the weekend of 3-5 January.

Stade d’Abidjan (0) 1 (Meite 53’)

Orlando Pirates (1) 1 (Makgopa 45+3’ pen)

D’ABIDJAN: Bamba, Kouakou, Traore, Meite, Gueye, Kouyate, Aka (Diallo 86’), Niampa (Koanda 74’), Assale (Y. Kone 86’), Kore (Bachabi 74’), K. Kone (Moukoro 65’)

PIRATES: Chaine, van Rooyen, Sibisi, Sesane, Mako (Dlamini 63’), Makhaula (Kimvuidi 87’), Mbatha (Rasebotja 74’), Mofokeng, Nkota (Gilberto 63’), Hotto, Makgopa (Mabasa 63’)