adminOrlando Pirates must complete a rare feat if they are to be victorious in this year’s African Confederation Cup final against Etoile du Sahel.
South African clubs have taken part in nine previous matches in continental finals but have won just two of those games.
Pirates famously defeated ASEC Abidjan 1-0 away in Cote d’Ivoire to lift the 1995 Champions Cup, while Kaizer Chiefs recorded a 1-0 success over Angolan side InterClube to win the 2001 African Cup Winners’ Cup.
But as disappointing as that conversion rate may be in deciding matches, South African sides have also only lost twice in continental final games.
Pirates were the most recent of those when they lost 2-0 in Cairo against Al Ahli in the 2013 Champions League final, while Mamelodi Sundowns lost 3-0 to the same side in the 2001 edition of the competition.
That was one game where the scoreline truly did not reflect the match as Sundowns largely dominated but luck deserted them on the day.
The other five deciding matches, including Pirates first leg of the Confederation Cup final against Etoile last weekend, have ended in draws.
In fact, in all four finals in which South African teams have competed over the last two decades, the first leg has always ended in a draw.
Pirates can, of course, lift the trophy on Sunday with a draw. Should the score be 1-1 they will send the game to extra-time and potentially a penalty shoot-out.
Should they draw 2-2 or by a higher score draw, they will win on the away goals rule.— Supersport.
Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu