Violence erupts as Orlando Pirates progress in CAF Champions League

As the final whistle sounded to signal Orlando Pirates’ progression to the CAF Champions League semi-final in Orlando on Wednesday evening, their opponents MC Alger turned violent.

Pirates held on for a goalless draw, which saw them advance 1-0 over the two legs.

Naturally, the Algerian players and staff were left frustrated and disappointed, but their emotions quickly turned to anger, which was directed towards their hosts.

Violent altercations were seen between the Algerian and Pirates players and staff, with a number of videos surfacing online of the incidents with SA Police Service having to intervene.

Déjà Vu 

What should have been a match noted for the tactical masterclass of coach José Riveiro, whose Pirates side only had 37% of the ball but managed to hold their opponents, mattered little after full time.

The scenes were a case of déjà vu as Mamelodi Sundowns saw their North African opponents Esperance’s fans turn violent last week in their CAF Champions League quarter-final at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

Peter Shalulile scored the only goal of the game just before the hour mark, and upon the final whistle, violence broke out at one end of Loftus Versfeld. The clashes seemed to have erupted after the final whistle as away fans began to hurl objects at their rival supporters.

The clashes appeared to be between rival Sundowns and Esperance fans who had presumably travelled from the North African nation.

In the top corner of the stadium, fans can be seen rushing towards each other before many Esperance fans try to escape and fall down over a number of rows of empty seats.

The two incidents certainly bring into question the safety aspect and feasibility of holding clashes between top clubs from Southern and Northern Africa in the future.

@Michael_Sherman