Orlando Pirates survived with fine margins as they were held to a 1-1 draw in the CAF Champions League group stage match away match against Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan on Saturday.  

It is a game that they dominated in the first half, but they could not put them away and it was the same case in the second half Evidence Makgopa had a clean later in the match, but his shot was saved by the leg of Drissa Bamba.  

Because of this draw, Pirates has gone top of Group C with five points, replacing Al Ahly, who will only play on the 22 December against CR Belouidzad.  

The defending champions Ahly are involved in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup that is taking place Doha.  

Pirates came to this game with one change, with Monnapule Saleng absent for unknown reasons and Mohau Nkota replacing him out wide on the right-hand side, from the side that played a 0-0 draw against the African champions, Al Ahly at Orlando Stadium last week.  

The first 15 minutes saw Jose Riveiro’s side in control of the game.  

Pirates got so many chances but failed to score at least one goal with their chances in the game. The youngster, Nkota almost opened the scoring in the 30th minute for the Buccaneers but Bamba saved his shot so easily.  

Another youngster, Relebohile Mofokeng won a penalty on the stroke of half time and Makgopa made no mistake as he opened the scoring through a penalty.  

In the second half, the first 10 minutes were very tough for the Buccaneers as the home side was in control of the game. However, Abidjan found the equaliser as Ousmane Meite scored a great goal in the 54th minute.  

The Buccaneers got a clear chance in the 57th minute as Makgopa got a one-on-one with a goalkeeper, but the former Baroka talisman failed to score the second goal to increase the lead.  

In the 62nd minute, Riveiro introduced Kabelo Dlamini, Miguel Viera, and Tshegofatso Mabasa substituting Paseka Mako, Nkota, and Makgopa. Pirates combined so many passes in the danger zone of the home side, and they created a great chance but Deon Hotto’s header went over the bar in the 83rd minute, to see the spoils shared.