Huge upset for Bucs in Sousse

Ayanda Gcaba of Orlando Pirates tackles Alaya Brigui of Etoile during their clash at Orlando last weekend. The Pirates went down 1-0 to Etoile on Sunday. Picture: Sydney Mahlangu

Ayanda Gcaba of Orlando Pirates tackles Alaya Brigui of Etoile during their clash at Orlando last weekend. The Pirates went down 1-0 to Etoile on Sunday. Picture: Sydney Mahlangu

Published Nov 29, 2015

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Tunisia – The Orlando Pirates suffered a disappointing 1-0 loss to Etoile du Sahel in their CAF Confed Cup second leg final at the Olympic Stadium in Sousse on Sunday afternoon in Tunisia.

Etoile were crowned champions by a 2-1 aggregate margin after drawing the first leg 1-1 a week ago, when Thamsanqa Gabuza’s sensational early strike was cancelled out by Ammar Jemal’s 87th minute equaliser.

The Soweto Giants were unable to replicate their win in the premier African competition 20 years ago. When Orlando Pirates won the CAF Champions League back in 1995 (the only time a South African club won the competition), they had to come back from conceding at home in the first leg, which ended in a 2-2 home draw against powerhouses ASEC Mimosa. The Buccaneers went on to shock the Ivory Coast club with a 1-0 win in their back-yard, thanks in no small part to the heroics of goal-scorer Jerry Sikhosana. But this time there was no fairytale ending for Eric Tinkler’s men.

The first chance of the encounter fell to Baghdad Bounedjah who tested Pirates keeper Felipe Ovono as the hosts signalled their intentions.

Thabo Rakhale had the first decent chance for Pirates in the 17th minute but he rushed his shot and was off target.

The home side took the lead in the 23rd minute when Ammar Jemal nudged the ball home from close range and also sent Etoile into a handy aggregate advantage.

Five minutes later Diego Acosta forced Ovono into a good save, and in the 36th minute the player went even closer when his header went narrowly over the crossbar.

Just after the interval Thamsanqa Gabuza went close but could not keep his effort on target as the visitors tried to work their way back into the contest.

The hosts continued to threaten shortly after the hour mark with Acosta delivering a header again just over the target.

Pirates piled on the pressure in the closing stages of the contest, but they could not find the equaliser to send the sides into extra time as their African conquest came up agonisingly short at the final hurdle. – African News Agency (ANA)

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