The first leg of the CAF Champions League semi-final between Orlando Pirates and Pyramids FC ended in a tight 0-0 draw, with VAR playing a starring, and for Ezimnyama Ngenkani, rescuing, role.
The Video Assistant Referee's interventions twice chalked off potential goals for the visiting Pyramids side.
Buccaneers coach Jose Riveiro opted for two changes from the win against MC Alger, bringing Patrick Maswanganyi and Tshegofatso Mabasa into the starting eleven ahead of Kabelo Dlamini and Evidence Makgopa.
Pirates started on the front foot, with Tshegofatso Mabasa and Thalenthe Mbatha combining well early on.
Mbatha tested the Pyramids goalkeeper Ahmed El Shenawy with the best chance of the opening period. However, Pirates also had to be vigilant defensively, dealing with Pyramids' pacy threats on the counter.
Drama unfolded on the stroke of halftime when Pyramids celebrated taking the lead through a superb Fiston Mayele volley after a defensive lapse.
Their joy was short-lived as VAR correctly identified an offside in the build-up, disallowing the goal.
PIRATES’ POSSESSION DOMINANCE AT THE START OF THE SECOND HALF
The second half saw Pirates continue to control possession, but they struggled to find a way through a resolute Pyramids defence that sat deep.
This forced the hosts to resort mainly to long-range attempts. Pyramids remained dangerous on the break, with Fiston Mayele heading just wide from a Mohamed Chibi cross after the hour mark.
With 30 minutes left, Pirates made their first change, replacing Tshegofatso Mabasa with Evidence Makgopa.
More VAR controversy arrived in the 88th minute when Sodiq Ougola's deflected shot found the net for Pyramids.
However, a second VAR check ruled the goal out for a handball, much to the dismay of the Pyramids bench and players.
Ultimately, despite putting the ball in the net twice, Pyramids saw both efforts correctly disallowed by VAR. The match finished 0-0, setting up a finely balanced second leg.
