Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro stated that the semi-final tie is still wide open after his side played to a tough goalless draw against Pyramids FC in the CAF Champions League first leg at FNB Stadium on Saturday.

Pirates endured a tense encounter against Pyramids FC, ultimately securing a goalless draw in the first leg. The visitors had two goals disallowed by Video Assistant Referee (VAR) decisions, offering a significant reprieve for the Buccaneers, who arguably were second-best for much of the match.

Riveiro said he anticipated that Pyramids FC, who are fiercely competing for the Egyptian Premier League title, would pose problems for his side, but he emphasized that they are still very much in the tie.

A scoring draw for Orlando Pirates in the second leg at the 30 June Air Defence Stadium in Cairo next Friday would be enough for them to reach the Champions League final.

“Everything is still open for a good football game,” Riveiro told SuperSport TV after the match.

“I think it was definitely not a zero game. Both teams were looking for a goal that could give us a little bit more of an advantage for the second leg, but it’s a semi-final of the Champions League.

“It is proof that we are a good team; they have a good team. It’s going to be an open second leg, and again, just now recovering and ready to go.”

Towards the end of the game, Relebohile Mofokeng, who had a relatively quiet game by his usual standards, received a clever reverse pass from Kabelo Dlamini and skillfully evaded several defenders before his shot was deflected for a corner.

Similar to the earlier goalless draw between South African rivals Mamelodi Sundowns and Egyptian giants Al Ahly in their Champions League semi-final first leg, the tie between Orlando Pirates and Pyramids FC remains finely balanced. All these South versus North African clashes will be decided in Egypt.

“With the different approaches, different styles, but like I said, both teams were getting opportunities, I think more for us in the first half,” Riveiro continued.

“It was a little bit difficult in the second half. The game became a little bit more open, and with those spaces, they have the capacity to create opportunities in situations of numerical equality and also from set pieces.

“But I think it was a good football game, definitely not a zero game for the spectators, and everything is open for the second leg again.”