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Orlando Pirates' hopes of continental glory were dashed under the Cairo lights as they fell 3-2 to Pyramids FC in a pulsating semifinal second-leg clash at the 30 June Stadium on Friday night.
After a goalless first leg, the stage was set for a showdown - and both teams delivered. But it was the Egyptians who had the final say, crushing the Buccaneers' Champions League ambitions.
The match had hardly settled before Deon Hotto picked out Evidence Makgopa with a pinpoint cross, but the forward's tame finish was comfortably gathered by goalkeeper Ahmed El Shenawy. Makgopa had another opportunity moments later, but El Shenawy came to the rescue again with a reflex foot-save amid a scramble.
Persistence paid off for the visitors just before halftime. A set-piece saw Hotto once again involved, swinging in a teasing delivery that Pyramids failed to clear. The ball fell kindly to Relebohile Mofokeng, who made no mistake, rifling home to give Pirates a deserved lead in the 45th minute.
But the joy was short-lived. Just as Pirates were preparing for the halftime break, Fiston Mayele - also on Kaizer Chiefs' radar - squeezed the ball past Sipho Chaine to level matters in first-half stoppage time.
The second half kicked off in high gear, with Mohau Nkota reigniting the Pirates' hopes in the 52nd minute. After a broken counter-attack, Nkota latched onto a loose ball and unleashed a thunderbolt that left El Shenawy rooted.
Yet again, the hosts hit back immediately. Ramadan Sobhi powered in a header in the 57th minute, making it 2-2 on the night and setting up a tense finale.
With extra time looming, Mayele struck again - this time in the 84th minute - clinching the tie for Pyramids FC and booking their ticket to the final with a 3-2 aggregate win.
For Pirates, it was a case of what might have been - a performance filled with heart, but ultimately falling just short on the continental stage.
