Orlando Pirates drop crucial points in race for CAF
Orlando Pirates Football Club had the perfect opportunity to extend their lead over SuperSport United in the race for CAF Champions League qualification. However, their game against Royal AM ended in a 1-1 draw, meaning they only earned a point instead of three.
The Buccaneers started the game on the front foot, and in the early minutes of the second half, Relebohile Ratomo scored, giving them a 1-0 lead. Despite dominating the game, Pirates failed to capitalize on their lead and allowed Royal AM to come back into the game. In the 90th minute, Menzi Masuku scored an equalizer, leaving the Buccaneers with only one point.
The result means that Orlando Pirates remains in second place on the DStv Premiership log with 50 points after playing 28 games this season. SuperSport United are hot on their heels with 48 points, and with just two games remaining in the season, the race for CAF Champions League qualification is heating up.
If SuperSport United wins their next matches and Pirates drop points, then the positions on the log could change. The Buccaneers have two more matches to play before the league concludes, and they cannot afford any more slip-ups if they want to secure a spot in the CAF Champions League next season.
Orlando Pirates head coach, Jose Riveiro, would want his team to qualify for the CAF Champions League next season after just one season with the Buccaneers. Similarly, SuperSport United’s head coach, Gavin Hunt, would want his team to qualify for the CAF Champions League after his return to the club this season.
It is now a case of the last two games of the season to determine who qualifies for the CAF Champions League next season. With so much at stake, the Buccaneers and Matsatsantsa will be hoping to finish the season on a high note and secure their spot in the CAF Champions League.
Mboma Mboma