Orlando Pirates seal famous victory in Cairo

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Orlando Pirates produced an incredible performance on the road to beat reigning CAF Champions League champions Al Ahly 2-1 in their final Group C fixture on Saturday.�

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The match played at Cairo International Stadium took place with both sides already qualified for the knockouts, but vying for a first-place finish in the group.

It was the Buccaneers who reigned supreme, bagging their second away victory in as many matches in North Africa.

Plenty to play for

The result also ensured that they finished the group unbeaten with an impressive 14 points, edging clear of the Egyptians who began the recently-concluded phase of the competition as favourites.

While occupying the top two spots with no chance of slipping out of the race for the quarter-finals, the two sides still had more than enough to play for heading into the fixture.

The hosts were not short of chances throughout the first half, keeping the defensive pair of Nkosinathi Sibisi and Thabiso Sesane busy along with goalkeeper Sipho Chaine.

They grew into the game quite early on, following a few half-chances that fell the way of the visitors and created plenty of work for the Bucs shot-stopper.

He was called upon on several occasions and made a few commanding stops amid intense pressure.�

Emam Ashour and Wessam Abou Ali had the best opportunities in the first half, with Chaine standing between them and the opener.

The Buccaneers were able to cling on amid the pressure and the two sides went into the break still level.

The second half began with Orlando Pirates showing a bit more purpose and they looked to edge ahead four minutes from the restart.

This was when Paseka Mako set up Deon Hotto, whose header looped wide.�

The wait for the opener only lasted a further four minutes with Relebohile Mofokeng showing great awareness, following a slip-up at the back.

The Bucs attacker pounced on a loose ball inside the box, and made no mistake in converting the chance to make it 1-0 to the visitors.

This spurred the Red Devils on as they sought the equaliser, with Chaine again proving to be the difference as he made another excellent save to keep out a shot from Abou Ali.�

Their pursuit for parity however only lasted until the 69th minute as Hussein El Shahat drew them level when he chipped the Bucs ‘keeper after his side had turned possession over following a loose pass down the middle.

Abou Ali and Chaine resumed their battle, with the shot-stopper coming out tops once more a minute after the goal.

The Buccaneers meanwhile looked to catch the hosts out on the counter while bombarded by frequent attacks at the back.

They did manage to restore their lead, and it was against the run of play with three players who had just been introduced all involved in the goal.

This was when Kabelo Dlamini delivered a cross from the left flank into the box, met by Tshegofatso Mabasa whose header crashed into the crossbar.

Gilberto was on hand to make the most of the rebound as he headed in from close range for his first competitive goal in Orlando Pirates colours.

With the 1995 champions ahead in the final 10 minutes of regulation time, there was still enough time for the home side to turn things around.

They looked to do so through Abou Ali, who dragged his shot narrowly wide in the 88th minute.

Seven minutes of added time meant that Orlandoo Pirates could not afford to try to cruise into the sunset, and it looked as if Rami Rabia had set Al Ahly up for a possible victory when he volleyed into the back of the net deep in injury time.

It was however not to be, with the referee spotting an offside in the build-up to the defender’s effort.

That proved to be their last real attempt at the Bucs goal, with the match soon coming to an end.

The final whistle sealed an incredible result for Orlando Pirates who bagged their fourth win of the group stage as they bagged a famous victory in Cairo.

Orlando Pirates

Chaine, Sesane, Sibisi, Lebitso (Ndlozi 56’), Mako, Mbatha (Dlamini 77’), Makhaula, Maswanganyi (Rasebotja 77’), Mofokeng, Hotto (Gilberto 80’), Makgopa (Mabasa 80’)