South Africans were disappointed when Orlando Pirates fell 5-4 on penalty kicks to RS Berkane in the CAF Confederation Cup final on Friday night at the Nest of Champions in Uyo after failing to score in the first 90 minutes.
The game in Uyo finished in a dramatic fashion, with Berkane taking the lead in the first half of extra time before the Buccaneers drew level late to force extra time. In the ensuing penalty shootout, the Moroccan team emerged victorious, winning 5-4 and denying the Pirates the chance to end their 27-year continental title drought.
With Kabelo Dlamini replacing Abel Mabaso in an aggressive line-up, the Pirates made only one change to the squad that nearly lost the semi-final second-leg against Al Ahli Tripoli.
Both the Buccaneers and Berkane had clear chances early on, with players like Deon Hotto and Mehdi Oubilla unable to take advantage of their opportunities.
As the first half progressed, Pirates dominated the game, and Bandile Shandu almost made it count in the 33rd minute with a grass cutter in the box that caused the Berkane goalkeeper to make a diving stop.
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Pirates had another great chance to break the deadlock from a set-piece on the edge of the box, but Hotto looped his strike over the crossbar before shot-stopper Richard Ofori had to keep away a dangerous strike from Youssef El Fahli at the other end.
Both teams had a rush of chances to break the deadlock in the first 45 minutes, but they both failed to score, forcing the game into extra time.
Thabang Monare and Siphesihle Ndlovu replaced Ben Motshwari and Shandu at the start of extra time as Pirates threw on fresh legs.
However, in the fourth minute of extra time, Berkane were granted a penalty after the referee saw a foul by Monare in the box on the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) monitor, allowing El Fahli to convert from 12 yards out.
After falling behind, the Buccaneers stepped up their game, and the pressure they put on their opponents paid off in the final three minutes when Lorch’s wayward pass evaded the Berkane defense and slid into the bottom corner to send the game to penalties.
