CAF Champions League

Johannesburg, South Africa – Orlando Pirates edged MC Alger on aggregate to secure their qualification into the semifinals of the CAF Champions League, following a tense 0-0 draw at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday, 9 April 2025. With a 1-0 victory from the first leg in Algiers, the Sea Robbers held firm at home in a match that was “intense, exciting,” and packed with drama, advancing with a 1-0 aggregate scoreline despite both teams struggling to find the net in this second leg.

A Night of Grit and Resilience

The Pirates entered the Orlando Stadium clash with a slim advantage, thanks to Mohau Nkota’s lone strike in the first leg on 1 April. That goal proved decisive as the Soweto giants weathered a determined MC Alger side desperate to overturn the deficit. The match was a rollercoaster of near misses and defensive heroics, ending with Pirates celebrating their spot in the next round against Pyramids FC.
From the opening whistle at 4:00 PM, MC Alger showed intent, kicking off and pushing into Pirates’ territory. But the home side’s strategy was clear – soak up pressure and strike on the counter. “Keep in mind that the Orlando Pirates have a 1-0 lead after winning the first leg,” analysts noted pre-match, and that shaped their game plan. Coach Jose Riveiro’s men stayed compact, frustrating the visitors’ attempts to break through.

Key Moments That Defined the Match

The first half was a tale of missed chances and solid defending. By the 8th minute, MC Alger’s Zakaria Naidji nearly levelled the tie, latching onto a long pass only for Pirates’ defence to snuff out the danger. Pirates responded with quick transitions, but their final passes lacked precision. At the 24th minute, the game’s intensity ramped up as both sides traded blows, yet “they have failed in the final pass or in the decision making against the arch.”
A pivotal moment came at the 45th minute when MC Alger’s Mohamed Saliou Bangoura broke free down the left. His cross found a teammate, but Pirates’ goalkeeper Sipho Chaine pulled off a stunning save, tipping the ball out for a corner. “Saved the local goalie!” fans cheered, as the half ended 0-0, keeping Pirates in the driver’s seat.
The second half brought more tension. At the 53rd minute, MC Alger thought they’d scored from a corner, only for a handball claim to be waved off. Pirates hit back at the 65th minute when Tapelo Xoki fired a long-range shot that soared over the bar – a rare chance to seal the tie. Then, at the 94th minute, the woodwork denied Pirates as a striker’s effort crashed off “the stick” after a defensive error.
The match’s dying moments delivered pure drama. At the 97th minute, a controversial call had Alger fans fuming – their left-back tumbled in the box after a Pirates defender “seemed to touch” the ball, but the referee ignored penalty shouts. “Was it a penalty?” echoed through the stands as the final whistle blew, locking in Pirates’ 1-0 aggregate triumph.

Tactical Brilliance in the Midfield

Pirates’ midfield was the heartbeat of their success. Makhehleni Makhaula and Thalente Mbatha brought fluidity and control, while Patrick Maswanganyi and Kabelo Dlamini added flair. Makhaula’s yellow card at the 40th minute for halting an Alger advance showed their grit, though an injury to Mbatha at the 69th minute forced a substitution after a clash with Kipre Zunon.
MC Alger countered with Akram Bouras and Larbi Tabti dictating tempo, supported by the defensive steel of Mohamed Benkhemassa and Mohamed Zougrana. Yet, as the clock ticked to the 77th minute, “MC Alger has not been able to have the character and enough category to go to the front with determination,” leaving their attack toothless.

Wing Play and Offensive Threats

The flanks were a battleground. Pirates’ Relebohile Mofokeng and Mohau Nkota – the first-leg heroes – terrorised Alger’s defence with pace, backed by Deon Hotto and Deano van Rooyen’s width. On the other side, Naidji, Mohamed Halaïmia, and Marwane Khelif pushed hard for MC Alger, but “the blocks on passes and saves have been crucial to avoid danger in the local area,” as noted at the 84th minute.
Set pieces were another weapon. Pirates’ Hotto, Dlamini, and Mofokeng excelled at delivering dangerous balls, with Xoki a towering presence. Alger relied on Halaïmia’s pinpoint free kicks, nearly capitalising at the 53rd minute, but Pirates’ focus held firm.

Coaches’ Corner: Riveiro and Ben Yahia Speak

Post-match, Pirates coach Jose Riveiro kept his focus on the present. “The season is far from over and we have a lot of work ahead of us by the end of May,” he said, sidestepping talk of his rumoured departure. “The club needs to plan for its future and it is right that it be given time to do so.” His measured approach paid off, with Pirates staying “solid and concentrated in the defensive zone” throughout.
MC Alger’s Khaled Ben Yahia remained defiant. “We won’t say that the game against the Orlando Pirates will be easy,” he’d said before the match. “In football there are no impossibilities. We just have to believe that we still have chances.” Despite the loss, he praised his team’s effort and thanked fans who rallied them at the airport, hoping to “make them happy with the qualification” that slipped away.

The Road to the Semifinals

Pirates’ qualification sets up a blockbuster semifinal clash with Egypt’s Pyramids FC. Their upcoming fixtures include SuperSport United on 20 April, Magesi FC on 25 April, Kaizer Chiefs on 3 May, TS Galaxy FC on 17 May, and AmaZulu FC on 24 May – a packed schedule as they juggle domestic and continental ambitions.
MC Alger, meanwhile, return to Ligue 1 action against MC El Bayadh on 11 April, followed by Olympique Akbou on 15 April, CR Belouizdad on 26 April, ES Sétif on 29 April, and JS Saoura on 8 May. The loss stings, but their season is far from over.

A Game of Fine Margins

The match stats tell a story of balance. Possession hovered near 50-50, with Alger edging shots (10 to Pirates’ 8) but failing to test Chaine often – “little interaction of the archers” summed up the 81st minute. Pirates’ discipline shone through, absorbing pressure and striking when it mattered most in the first leg.
Fans at Orlando Stadium created an “amazing” atmosphere, as noted at the 28th minute, their roars peaking at every close call. For Pirates supporters, this was more than a win – it’s a step closer to reclaiming CAF glory, last tasted in 1995.

Broader Context: South Africa’s CAF Charge

Pirates’ advance keeps South African hopes alive in the CAF Champions League, especially after Mamelodi Sundowns’ quarterfinal exit against Espérance de Tunis (2-1 aggregate). The Sea Robbers’ resilience mirrors their unbeaten group stage run, where they topped a tough pool including Al Ahly. For MC Alger, topping Algeria’s Ligue 1 offers little consolation as their continental dream ends.

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