Orlando Pirates vs MC Alger: High-Stakes CAF CL Quarterfinal Ends in Dramatic 1-1 Draw

When the final whistle blew at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, the scoreboard read 1-1 — a result that sent Orlando Pirates through to the CAF Champions League quarterfinals on aggregate, but left fans breathless, coaches stunned, and Algerian supporters heartbroken. The second leg, played under a Soweto night sky with a 22°C chill and the roar of 38,000 fans shaking the stands, was more than just a football match. It was the final chapter for Spanish coach Jose Luis Riveiro Cabaleiro at the helm of the Buccaneers — a man who had promised to leave a legacy before walking away at season’s end.

Defending the Lead, But Not Without Chaos

Orlando Pirates entered the match holding a slender 1-0 advantage from the first leg in Algiers, thanks to a clinical finish by Mohau Nkota, who now had three goals against Algerian sides this campaign — a rare feat in CAF’s most competitive tournament. But this wasn’t a game of containment. MC Alger, under the tactical discipline of Khaled Ben Yahia, came out like a team with nothing to lose. Their midfield trio of Mohamed Benkhemassa, Zakaria Draoui, and Ayoub Ghezala controlled the tempo early, pressing high and forcing errors from Pirates’ backline.

The home side, fielding a 4-3-3 with Sipho Justin Chaine in goal and Tapelo Xoki and Nkosinathi Sibisi anchoring the defense, looked nervous in the first 20 minutes. Their midfield, led by Makhehlene Makhaula and Thalente Mbatha, struggled to find rhythm. But then, in the 27th minute, a counterattack sparked by Relebohile Mofokeng — who had been quiet all night — found Kabelo Dlamini sprinting down the left. His low cross was met by Tshegofatso Mabasa, whose header beat Toufik Moussaoui at the near post. 2-0 on aggregate. The stadium erupted. Fans waved flags, sang in Zulu and Sotho, and the belief was tangible.

MC Alger’s Fightback and the Turning Point

But Algerian resilience is no myth. Just eight minutes later, a corner from the right flank — swung in by Mohamed Reda Halaimia — found the head of Larbi Tabti, who rose above Thabiso Sesane to nod it past Chaine. 2-1 aggregate. The momentum shifted. Orlando Pirates, suddenly cautious, started to retreat. Coach Riveiro Cabaleiro, pacing the touchline in his signature navy blazer, clapped sharply, urging his players to stay composed. He knew: one more goal from Algeria would send the tie to extra time.

MC Alger pressed harder. In the 63rd minute, Marwane Khelif — later named Player of the Match by Fotmob — delivered a thunderous 25-yard drive that rattled the crossbar. The rebound fell to Zakaria Naidji, whose shot was blocked by Dean van Rooyen. The ball spilled to Ayoub Abdellaoui, the Algerian captain, who fired just wide. The crowd gasped. The tension was thick enough to cut with a knife.

By the 78th minute, Orlando Pirates had three players on the bench — Olisa Ndah, Thabiso Lebitso, and Zakhele Lepasa — all sidelined by injuries, according to Fotmob. Riveiro Cabaleiro had to gamble. He brought on Deon Hotto, the veteran winger, for Mabasa, hoping for experience over freshness. It worked. Hotto’s presence stretched MC Alger’s defense, forcing them to commit more men forward.

The Final Whistle and What It Means

When referee Ibrahim Kalilou Traore blew for full time, the score was 1-1 on the night, 2-1 on aggregate. Orlando Pirates had survived. They were through to the semifinals — their first appearance since 2014. For Riveiro Cabaleiro, it was a fitting farewell gift. For MC Alger, it was cruel. They had played their best football of the season, yet came up short.

The result extended Orlando Pirates’ unbeaten run to seven matches in all competitions. They had won their last three in the Betway Premiership, including a gritty 1-0 over Polokwane City on April 5. MC Alger, meanwhile, remained winless in their last seven away games across all competitions — a worrying trend that could haunt them in future continental campaigns.

What made this match so compelling wasn’t just the result — it was the context. Orlando Pirates, historically one of Africa’s most decorated clubs, hadn’t reached the semifinals in over a decade. MC Alger, a powerhouse in Algeria with 13 domestic titles, had been on the rise under Ben Yahia, who had rebuilt the squad with youth and grit. This was a clash of eras: the veteran South African side clinging to glory, and the Algerian challengers hungry to break through.

What’s Next for the Buccaneers?

The semifinal draw will be held on April 15, with potential opponents including Al Ahly of Egypt, Wydad Casablanca of Morocco, or Esperance of Tunisia — all giants of African football. Orlando Pirates will need to find consistency in midfield, especially with Makhaula and Mbatha under constant pressure. They also need to address their injury crisis — Ndah and Lebitso are key to their defensive structure.

For Riveiro Cabaleiro, the next few weeks will be emotional. He’s not just coaching a team — he’s guiding them toward a legacy. The players have publicly pledged to win the trophy for him. “He gave us belief when no one else did,” said Mofokeng after the match. “We’re not stopping now.”

Background: The Weight of History

Orlando Pirates, founded in 1937, are South Africa’s most popular club, with a fanbase stretching from Soweto to Cape Town. They last won the CAF Champions League in 1995 — a triumph that still echoes in chants across the country. MC Alger, established in 1921, are Algeria’s most successful club, with a fierce rivalry against USM Alger. Their only CAF Champions League final appearance came in 1976 — and they’ve never won it.

This quarterfinal was a microcosm of African football’s evolution: South Africa’s physicality and passion versus Algeria’s tactical discipline and resilience. The fact that both teams fielded near-identical 4-3-3 systems — despite conflicting reports from AfricaTopSports and Fotmob — shows how modern football has homogenized tactics across continents.

And yet, the human element remains. The 17-year-old fan in Soweto who wore his father’s 1995 jersey. The Algerian mother who watched the match from Algiers, clutching her son’s scarf. The coach who knew this might be his last game. Football, at its core, is never just about goals.