The impossible made possible in football

What was considered in football terms as impossible was made possible in the Egyptian city of Suez on 4 October.

The Mighty Orlando Pirates triumphed in the decisive Confederations of African Football (Caf) Confederations Cup semifinal clash against Egyptian giants, Al Ahly, with a 4-3 victory that gave them an aggregate score of 5-3.

The much-anticipated second leg decider, in which many had said Pirates were going to have their backs against the wall, turned out to be one of the most thrilling matches played by the Pirates team in many years.

The Buccaneers exhibited their true pedigree when they ran over the Egyptians in their own backyard. The Egyptians were the first to draw blood, going into half-time with a slender 1-0 lead and immediately returned to make it 2-0.

However, the Buccaneers were not to be outdone as they upped the tempo of their game, in which they had matched the home side 100 percent and it paid dividends.

Super sub, Kermit Erasmus, found the back of the net with his first touch of the ball, while the in form Thamsanqa Gabuza netted from an Erasmus cross to make the scoreline 2-2. Al Ahly made amends and put one over the Bucs, making it 3-2.

The visitors were at it again when Thabo Matlaba leveled the scoreline at 3-3. But the never say die spirit of the Mighty Buccaneers was alive and kicking as Thabo Rakhale netted the ball in the dying minutes of the game to give the Buccaneers a solid 4-3 victory that would see them play in the final of the Caf Confederations Cup.

They will take on Tunisian side Etoile du Sahel, who dumped another Egyptian side, Zamalek, to go through to the finals. The much talked about and eagerly awaited derby of Egyptian teams in the final is no more.

The Soweto giants dominated the game and matched the Egyptians man for man and gave more than they received from the most decorated Egyptian sporting club in African continental football.