Orlando Pirates drew 1-1 with Stade d’Abidjan in their Caf Champions League Group C match at Stade Félix Houphouët Boigny, in Abdijan, Ivory Coast, on Saturday.
Pirates had four points out of a possible six heading into the clash, but would welcome a hard-earned draw from home in what was a tense encounter for both sides.
It would be a fair assessment to say Pirates were dominant, yet wasteful over the 90 minutes. Pirates had 55% possession and delivered 500 passes to the 375 of their opposition. Pirates also reeled off 15 shots to the 10 of Stade d’Abidjan .
The result though, took Pirates to top of Group B. The SA outfit lead the way with five points, one ahead of Egyptian Giants Al Ahly, with CR Belouizad of Algeria third with three points. It was a welcome point, though, for Stade d’Abidjan who earned their first points of the group stage in their debut appearance as this level.
Good memories
In a match at the same venue where Pirates were crowned Caf Champions League champions in 1995, the Soweto Giants would have been hoping for a similar result decades later.
In that final all those years ago, Asec Mimosas were dispatched 1-0 as Pirates became the first South African team to lift the most coveted African crown in club football.
Pirates opened the scoring through Evidence Makgopa with a penalty in first-half injury time.
Stade d’Abidjan came out in the second half with renewed energy as they looked to test the much-fancied Orlando Pirates.
Stade d’Abidjan’s efforts were soon rewarded as the hosts equalised eight minutes after the break. Stade d’Abidjan defender Ousmane Meite found the back of the net with the assist coming from Ardile Traore.