Orlando Pirates survived a significant scare against Pyramids FC as the two teams played out a goalless draw in the first leg of their CAF Champions League semi-final at FNB Stadium on Saturday.

Pyramids FC had two goals disallowed by VAR reviews, much to the relief of Orlando Pirates, who, based on the overall flow of the game, might consider themselves fortunate not to have lost.

Pirates played this home leg at FNB Stadium instead of their usual Orlando Stadium, as the latter venue was hosting a Grace Bible Church event for the Easter weekend. Interestingly, the Buccaneers had won two previous matches at FNB Stadium this season, defeating both Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns in league encounters.

Despite the unfamiliar venue, Pirates started brightly. In the 15th minute, Patrick Maswanganyi, who has been struggling with injuries, struck the upright with a left-footed shot following another swift attacking move by the Soweto Giants.

Nkosinathi Sibisi then found the overlapping Deon Hotto with a long pass that breached the Pyramids FC defense. The industrious Namibian winger laid off a splitting pass to Tshegofatso Mabasa, but the striker was just a fraction too late to connect.

However, the Soweto Giants were up against a formidable Pyramids FC side. The Egyptian club looks poised to challenge for their first-ever Egyptian Premier League title and has also reached the Egypt Cup final, where they are scheduled to meet Zamalek on 20 May.

Jose Riveiro’s side, who won the MTN8 earlier this season, are also in the final of the domestic Nedbank Cup, where they will face their Soweto rivals Kaizer Chiefs on 10 May at Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Pyramids FC’s game plan at FNB Stadium appeared straightforward: remain defensively solid and avoid conceding in the first half.

However, just before halftime, Pyramids thought they had taken the lead through Fiston Mayele. Mbekezeli Mbokazi attempted to head the ball clear, but the Congolese striker finished clinically at the near post.

However, referee Pacifique Ndabihawenimana from Burundi was prompted to consult the VAR, and the goal was subsequently ruled out for offside. Replays showed that Mayele was indeed in an offside position when the ball was played to him.

Hotto then almost gifted Pyramids a chance, making a rare mistake when an attempted pass was intercepted by Moustafa Fathi. Fathi raced clear on goal and tried to cut the ball back to the unmarked Mayele, but Deano van Rooyen, who had tracked Fathi’s run, recovered well to clear the danger.

Pyramids seemed to increase their intensity after the break, and Mayele missed a golden opportunity moments later. A well-placed cross beat Sibisi and found the striker unmarked, but he headed wide from close range.

The Egyptian side continued to press forward, testing the Orlando Pirates defense, but the Soweto Giants managed to withstand the pressure.

Pyramids looked impressive and composed, showing no signs of being a team making their debut appearance in the CAF Champions League semi-finals.

The visitors thought they had snatched a late winner in the final minute of the game through Sodiq Awujoola, but once again, the VAR intervened, ruling out the goal and rescuing Pirates. The ball struck the hand of Awujoola before it went in.

Moments later, Relebohile Mofokeng, who had been relatively quiet by his usual standards, received a reverse pass from Kabelo Dlamini and skillfully beat several defenders before his shot was deflected for a corner.

Mirroring the earlier goalless draw between Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, the tie between Pirates and Pyramids is also wide open heading into the second leg, which will be played at the 30 June Air Defence Stadium in Cairo next Friday.