Orlando Pirates reach African Champions League final
- Published
South Africa's striker Petros Mahamutsu
South Africa's Orlando Pirates reached the African Champions League final on the away goals rule, after a 1-1 draw at Esperance of Tunisia.
The first leg ended 0-0 in Soweto two weeks ago and when defender Rooi Mahamutsa scored with a powerful header from a corner in the 54th minute at the Rades Stadium it gave Pirates the lead and also what proved to be a decisivel away goal.
Esperance equalised within two minutes through Iheb Msakni but could not score a second goal that would have taken them to the final for a fourth successive year.
In fact it was the visitors who proved wasteful, missing numerous chances, including a header against the post from fullback Happy Jele, in a fast, flowing second half,
Orlando Pirates won the competition in 1995 in the only success for a South African club in Africa's top club competition.
In this year's final, Pirates will meet holders Al Ahly , who beat Coton Sport of Cameroon 7-6 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in their second leg left the sides level 2-2 on aggregate.
The final will be played over two legs in November.