Orlando Pirates moved top of their CAF Champions League Group C with a 1-1 draw against Stade d’Abidjan at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny on Saturday evening.
Pirates missed the golden chance to move up to seven points from three games but they remain unbeaten as the home side picked up their first point of the group.
Having lost their opening two games against Al Ahly and CR Belouizdad and Pirates securing a win over the Algerian and Egyptian clubs respectively, Jose Riveiro’s side were favourites despite the game being played out in Ivory Coast.
Another talking point was it’s the same arena where the Buccaneers won their star in 1995 and it seemed like all was going to script with a 1-0 lead with the last kick of the opening half as Evidence Makgopa slotted home a penalty.
But the Bafana Bafana striker spurned two other opportunities to make the game safe, while the home side went on to equalise via defender Ousmane Méité just seven minutes before the hour mark.
The Soweto giants looked to get themselves back in the lead with several attacks but it wasn’t to be as the two sides shared the spoils.
Pirates now move uo to five points from three games, one ahead of the Red Devils’ whose game with Belouizdad was postponed due to FIFA Interncontinental Cup clash against Mexican giants Pahcuca this evening.
