Orlando Pirates suffered a 1-0 defeat in their first leg CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final tie against Simba at the hostile Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Sunday evening.
It was a goalless first half in Tanzania, and while Simba may have edged the possession, it was Pirates who had the better chances. Unfortunately, efforts by Kwame Peprah and Deon Hotto failed to trouble Salum Manula.
Pirates thought they had a penalty just before half-time for a foul on Siphesihle Ndlovu, but the referee waved play on and there was no VAR intervention.
Former Pirates winger Bernard Morrison had Simba’s best chance in stoppage time, but Richard Ofori made a good diving save to deny his countryman.
Peprah got to the end of a Hotto free kick in the 52nd minute but was unable to steer his header on target.
Morrison won a free kick in a dangerous area in the 59th minute, but his effort from the setpiece took a deflection off the wall and went behind. Another setpiece effort from the Ghanian was wayward three minutes later.
It was a packed and loud Benjamin Mkapa, with 60 000 fans backing their team – the Buccaneers were notably affected by some of the contentious calls, including the opening goal.
The referee awarded a penalty in the 65th minute for a foul by Happy Jele on Morrison, though it looked like the Pirates captain got the ball. However, VAR upheld the decision and Shomari Kapombe stepped up and gave Simba the lead.
Things soured further ten minutes from time as Hotto will miss the second leg in South Africa next week after receiving a yellow card as Pirates now face a massive challenge to overturn the tie without one of their key performers.
The scoreline remained 1-0 until full-time which was met by a crescendo of applause from the home supporters in Dar es Salaam as they take a lead into the return leg at Orlando Stadium.
