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. The fixture played at Cairo International Stadium took place with both sides 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. 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 45, 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 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.
