Orlando Pirates crashed out of the Caf Champions League after failing to beat Green Eagles in the second leg on Saturday evening, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.

The Zambian outfit came into this encounter with a one-goal advantage over the Buccaneers after securing a 1-0 victory in Lusaka two weeks ago through a goal from Spencer Sautu.

Pirates interim coach Rhulani Mokwena made only one change to his side that drew with AmaZulu in the previous league game, as Justin Shonga came into the squad in place of Siphesihle Ndlovu.

The Buccaneers came out with intent in the opening exchanges of the game as Gabadinho Mhango produced the first real chance in the 13th minute, but saw his effort saved by Eagles goalkeeper Sebastian Mwange.

Vincent Pule had a chance to put his side ahead after 25 minutes, but the Pirates attacker failed to hit the target after latching on to a pass from Thembinkosi Lorch.

Mwange came to his side’s rescue on the half-hour mark when he made a good save to deny Mhango, who was left unmarked at the far post.

With six minutes to play, Lorch forced Mwange into making a fine save to deny him before the Eagles keeper Shonga’s follow-up strike.

The game went into half time with the scoreline locked at 0-0.

The Buccaneers picked up where they left off in the first stanza and grabbed an early lead in the second half when Happy Jele rose above his mark to nod home Lorch’s corner, 1-0.

Eagles wasted no time and levelled matters a minute later through a neat finish from Amity Shamende, 1-0.

Kabelo Dlamini had a chance to restore his side’s lead in the 64th minute after finding space to shoot but the forward missed the target.

The home side came close four minutes later when Paseka Mako unleashed a strike from range, which whistled narrowly wide of goal.

The Buccaneers continued to press forward in search of a goal as Mabasa fired his effort straight into the hand of the Eagles keeper from inside of the box after 73 minutes.

Lorch should have made it 2-1 two minutes later when he fired his effort on to the post from a tight angle after getting on to the end of a through ball.

Pirates had a golden opportunity to take the lead with three minutes to play when they were awarded an indirect free kick inside the box from a resulting back pass.

Dlamini tapped the ball to Mulenga, who held it off for Lorch to shoot but Mwange made a great save to deny the Pirates attacker.

However, Eagles held on to their 2-1 aggregate lead over Pirates to advance to the next round of the continental competition, while the Buccaneers were eliminated from the tournament.