By Bonface Osano,

URA 2 Orlando Pirates 2 (Agg, 3-4)

It was a game of two halves with the hosts dominating the first half and the visitors from South Africa bossing the other. The match was staged at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in the outskirts of Kampala City in Uganda on Saturday April 4, 2015.

URA won a free kick from a tempting position about 20′ yards from goal but Saidi Kyeyune attempt was blocked well by Bucs skipper Oupa Manyisa.

The first real scoring chance went Pirates way in the 18th minute when Sifiso Myeni found himself one on one against URA keeper Brian Bwete who did well to deny the visitors.

In the 36 minute Yassar Mugerwa delivered a superb strike from a great build up to put the tax men of ahead, the host continued to pile pressure on the Soweto giants as the game headed into half time.

Orlando Pirates came into the second half guns blazing and Mpho Makola goal leveled the scores in 52nd minute before skipper Oupa Manyisa put them ahead in 68th minute from the spot after Sam Senkoomi handled the ball in the box.

URA made two quick substitutions with Elukana Nkugwa coming on for Patrick Ochan in the 70th minute and Allan Munaaba making way for James Kasibante in the 75th minute.

Frank Kalanda another substitute scored the equalizer in the added minutes but it was too late for the hosts; Orlando pirates won the first leg by a margin of 2-1 and only needed to avoid defeat to progress to the next stage of this competition.

The Eric Tinkler side will now meet Gabon’s FC Mounama who knocked out Zambia’s Power Dynamos.

Team line-ups:
Orlando Pirates XI v URA: Mhlongo, Mahamutsa, Jele, Nyauza, Gcaba, Sarr, Ntshumayele, Makola, Myeni, Manyisa, Bacela.

URA XI v Pirates: Bwete, Semeone, Munaba, Senkoomi, Mubagi, Mugerwa, Ali, Kyeyune, Kigongo, Ochan, Ssekitto.

Slickrambo