ORLANDO PIRATES (0)(1)
Salenge 90+3
JWANENG GALAXY (0)(0)
Pirates win 3-0 on aggregate, and progress to the group stage
ORLANDO - Monnapule Saleng was again the hero as he ensured the Sea Robbers sailed into the CAF Champions League’s group stage last night, ending a five-year hiatus.
Saleng scored at the death as Orlando Pirates beat Jwaneng Galaxy 1-0 to win the final group stage qualifiers 3-0 on aggregate at a freezing Orlando Stadium, having already won 2-0 away in the first leg.
This result put another feather in the cap of coach Jose Riveiro who’s aiming for gold all round in his third season at the club.
Having won four trophies and finished runners-up back-to-back in the league in his first two seasons, the Spaniard wants to challenge for everything that’s up for grabs.
They’ll face Stellenbosch in the MTN8 final on October 5 – a record third final in a row – while they also started their Betway Premiership on a high, beating Chippa United 2-1.
They’ll return here on Tuesday afternoon for a league clash against Polokwane City, before visiting Richards Bay on Sunday. The Sea Robbers will aim to win both matches and enjoy a huge morale booster ahead of the sold-out Wafa Wafa cup final at home to Stellies in Durban.
Freezing weather conditions around Gauteng made it impossible for The Ghost to come out in numbers and unleash their wrath on Jwaneng after last season’s defeat. However, the handful that braved the chilly weather made their voices heard as their side sailed into the group stage for the first time since the 2018/2019 season.
Riveiro made only two changes to the team that beat Jwaneng in the first leg and Chippa in the league here on Wednesday night.
New winger Deivi Vieira made his full and home debut, replacing Relebohile Mofokeng, while Kabelo Dlamini slotted in for Thalente Mbatha in the midfield.
Although Pirates dominated possession in the first half, they couldn’t breach Jwaneng’s defence, including failing to capitalise on a near-blunder from Goitseone Phoko.
Jwaneng’s No 1 made a poor clearance that only reached the D-Line of his box and right-back Deano van Rooyen failed to utilise the opportunity.
With the clock winding down and his troops not making good on his promise that they’ll overturn the first leg deficit, Morena Ramoreboli cut a dejected figure on the touchline.
The SA-born coach seemed as though he had lost this clash with every decision that went against his team as he hopelessly protested against referee Abdul Ligali.
Things were not going according to plan even for Pirates’ magician Patrick Maswanganyi – something that’s starting to become a familiar sight nowadays.
Since club legend Jomo Sono dismissed any plans to unretire the No 10 jersey for Maswanganyi in domestic football, the Pirates star has yet to wave his magic wand.
And as he donned the No 10 here tonight, it seemed as if it weighed heavily on his shoulders as he only made a string of passes without any real threat going into the final third.
He was subsequently withdrawn early in the second half for Mofokeng, and he didn’t take kindly to it, showing signs of sulking.
However Saleng – who had scored a late winner against Chippa – repeated his heroics. Against the run of play he beat Phoko from close range to steer Pirates into the group stage.