Orlando Pirates made a powerful statement in the CAF Champions League by securing top spot in their Group C with a 2-1 victory over Al Ahly at the Cairo International Stadium on Saturday evening. This remarkable win ensured that the Soweto giants finished the group stage unbeaten, ahead of Al Ahly, the defending champions of the tournament. Both teams have now qualified for the knockout stages of the competition, with their next opponents set to be revealed in the coming days.
The match in Cairo was an intense and tactical battle, with both teams displaying caution in the opening stages. Al Ahly, widely regarded as one of Africa’s most successful clubs, was determined to avoid a third defeat in the group stage, while Pirates were keen to maintain their perfect record and top their group. Despite the pressure, the Sea Robbers showed great resilience and composure, especially in the second half, where they turned the game around to claim a well-deserved victory.
The first half saw both teams feeling each other out, with little space for either side to exploit in the attacking third. Thalente Mbatha came close to breaking the deadlock just before halftime, when he unleashed a long-range effort from outside the box. Unfortunately for Pirates, his shot flew high above the bar, and the teams went into the break with the score still level at 0-0.
In the second half, Pirates came out with renewed energy and quickly looked to assert their dominance. Their efforts paid off in the 53rd minute when Relebohile Mofokeng opened the scoring for the visitors. The South African midfielder capitalized on a defensive blunder by Al Ahly, seizing the opportunity to slot the ball past the goalkeeper and give Pirates a 1-0 lead. The goal was a result of pressure from Pirates’ attacking players and a lack of communication in Al Ahly’s defense, making it a costly mistake for the hosts.
Despite conceding the goal, Al Ahly responded with increased urgency. They launched a series of attacking moves in search of an equalizer, with their best chance coming in the 57th minute. Wessam Abou Ali found himself in a dangerous position in the box and took a powerful shot, but Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine was quick to react, making a crucial save to keep his team in the lead.
As the match progressed, Pirates continued to show their defensive solidity and counter-attacking threat. In the 82nd minute, the visitors doubled their advantage with a second goal, this time from substitute Gilberto. The Angolan winger had replaced Deon Hotto just two minutes earlier, and his impact was immediate. After Tshegofatso Mabasa’s header from a well-placed Dlamini cross struck the crossbar, Gilberto was in the right place at the right time to head the ball into the net and put Pirates 2-0 up. The goal was a testament to Pirates’ ability to capitalize on set-piece situations and their overall sharpness in front of goal.
With just eight minutes left in regulation time, Al Ahly pushed forward in an attempt to salvage a point. In the 88th minute, Wessam had another chance to pull one back for the Egyptian side, but his shot from outside the box narrowly missed the target, grazing the outside of the post. That was one of the final opportunities for the hosts, as Pirates held firm to seal the victory.
The win was a massive achievement for Orlando Pirates, not only because it secured them top spot in the group but also because they did so without losing a single match in the group stage. With four wins and two draws, the Buccaneers showed impressive consistency and maturity throughout their campaign, defeating some of the best teams in African club football, including Al Ahly. This result highlights the progress Pirates have made in continental football and strengthens their position as one of the leading teams in Africa.
For Al Ahly, the defeat was a disappointing one, particularly considering their status as defending champions. Despite the loss, they still managed to qualify for the knockout stage, but the two defeats in the group stage will surely be a concern for the Egyptian side as they prepare for the challenges ahead.
Looking ahead, both teams will now turn their attention to the knockout stages, where the competition will become even more intense. Orlando Pirates will be full of confidence after topping their group, while Al Ahly will need to regroup and focus on making a strong push for the title in the latter stages of the tournament.
For Pirates, this victory over Al Ahly is a testament to their growing stature on the continental stage, and it sends a clear message to their competitors that they are more than capable of going all the way in this year’s CAF Champions League. With a strong squad and the momentum from an unbeaten group phase, they will be eager to continue their impressive run in the knockout rounds.
