Pirates played to a 1-1 draw against
Esperance at the Stade Olympique de Rades in Tunisia on Saturday, 19 October
2013. Defender Rooi Mahamutsa silenced the home side when he scored for the
visitors in the 52nd minute before Esperance equalised five minutes later.
The South Africans go through on away
goals rule after they were held to a goalless draw at Orlando Stadium a
fortnight ago.
“As South African Football Association,
we would like to congratulate Orlando Pirates for a magnificent achievement in
the CAF Champions League semi-final clash against Esperance. We would like to
say to the players and the technical team, your feat in Tunisia was of heroic
proportions. You have made the whole country proud with your guts,
determination and resilience. Not many gave you a chance but you did well,”
said SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan.
”This is indeed a wonderful day for
South African football and this milestone augurs well for the game in the
country. Your success is our success because you are representing not only
Pirates supporters but millions of football fans in South Africa. In our view,
you are already champions just by reaching the finals, and we have faith that
you will go all the way and lift the trophy. We would like to assure you of our
support.“
In the final, Pirates will face the
winner in the other semi-final clash between Al Alhy of Egypt and Cottonsport
of Cameroon who play on Sunday, 20 October.
The first leg of the final is scheduled
for Saturday, 2 November 2013 with the second leg set to be played a week later
(Saturday, 9 November).
