Orlando Pirates were knocked out of the CAF Champions League after losing 5-4 to Morena Ramoreboli’s Jwaneng Galaxy on penalties after the tie ended 1-1 on aggregate.
The game was evenly poised coming into the tie at Esgodini with Jwaneng holding a 1-0 lead from the first leg in Botswana.
It could have been two had it not been for a controversial offside call but with the group stages on the line, they knew Pirates were not going down without a fight in Orlando.
Ramoboreli’s side were resilient throughout, with a low-block Pirates struggling to break down and carving out a couple of chances on the counter.
Namibia forward Wendell Rudath came closest to finding the net but only after the home side found the lead on the night and equalised the aggregate score.
It was found through none other than the forgotten man, Evidence Makgopa, who replaced Zakhele Lepasa after the hour mark.
His deflected effort found the back of the net, trickling beyond the flailing Jwaneng goalkeeper Goitseone Phoko.
Pirates probed for the winner with Karim Kimvuidi and Patrick Maswanganyi showing their guile and creativity, but the visitors held firm until the end to take the tie to penalties.
Relebohile Mofokeng missed Pirates’ fourth penalty, while Jwaneng had a 100% record, with substitute Richard Ofori having no luck at saving a spot-kick.
