The Buccaneers were 3-0 down from a disastrous first leg last weekend but dominated the return match to win by the same scoreline, only for their efforts to ultimately go to waste.
Having been semi-finalists last year – and unlucky to lose to eventual champions Pyramids FC at that stage, they will be desperately disappointed to go out at this stage.
They dominated the second leg and were full value for their win, though they needed a 95th minute goal to send the game to spot-kicks. And will know this tie was lost in Lubumbashi last weekend.
Pirates took the lead in the 39th minute when Masindi Nemtajela drilled a low shot from the edge of the box into the bottom corner, reward for a sustained spell of pressure during which the home side had monopolised possession without looking overly threatening.
It was the 24-year-old’s first goal for Pirates following his move from Marumo Gallants at the end of last season, though his reward was to be replaced at halftime.
What followed the goal was chaos, as the St Eloi Lupopo players tried to stop Pirates from restarting the game quickly.
Both teams ended up reduced to 10 men, though the visitors had the wrong player sent off. Amale Mukoko landed a headbutt on Nemtajela and was pushed to the floor by Tshepang Moremi.
Referee Mohamed Ali Moussa somehow decided that it was defender Chris Maniania who should be sent off for the visitors, despite the latter pointing to his guilty teammate, and also dismissed Moremi.
The only player who truly deserved a red card in the melee was Mukoko, yet he remained on the field.
Pirates scored their second goal in the 68th minute, a reward for their continued dominance in St Eloi Lupopo’s defensive third.
Kabelo Dlamini’s corner was flicked on by Yanela Mbuthuma at the near post and deflected into the net off a defender. There was little the player could do, it simply hit him and went in. Pirates were left with roughly a quarter of the match to complete their comeback.
Pirates failed to seriously test the goalkeeper again until the dying seconds of stoppage time, when Oswin Appollis’ quick feet created space on the edge of the box.
His shot took a deflection off a defender and wrong-footed goalkeeper Simon Omossola. The St Eloi Lupopo players dropped to the ground in disbelief, knowing that might have been the last kick of regulation time.
But Pirates’ delight at forcing the game to penalties was short-lived, as they were once again undone in the shootout.
Deon Hotto saw his weak effort, which was heading for the corner, saved by Omossola, but the contest went to sudden death.
Needing to score, Mbuthuma put his effort more than a yard wide of the target, allowing the visitors to celebrate their first-ever appearance in the Champions League group stages.