The picture in Group B of the CAF Confederation Cup became a bit clearer after Sunday’s results with Orlando Pirates emerging as group leaders. The South African side took down Al Ahly Benghazi to move up to eight points while Algeria’s ES Sétif finally got their first win against Enyimba to move within distance of their opponents in second place. All teams are still in contention for a top-2 spot and qualification to the quarter-finals.
Sétif were in dire need of a victory and left little doubt against an Enyimba side that lacked the ferocity they have shown at home. Other than a couple of well crafted shots from distance, the Nigerian visitors struggled to be much of a threat. An excellent buildup for Sétif resulted in the 31st minute opener. Ismail Saadi was set up with an open net and inexplicably put his shot off the post, but while Saadi was still on the ground in dismay his teammates got the ball back into the box Amir Karaoui lashed an effort past John Noble in goal.
The decider came just before halftime courtesy of Abderrahim Deghmoum’s brilliant run and cross to a wide open Mohamed Amoura for an easy finish. Akram Djahnit finished the scoring with a second-half penalty and also missed another spot-kick later on, resulting in the 3-0 scoreline.
Orlando Pirates made easy work of Libyan side Al Ahly Benghazi stay on the front foot in their campaign, winning 3-0 in Johannesburg. The Libyan side’s defense faltered in the first-half to concede twice from set pieces with the opener coming for the Bucs in the 26th minute. Ntsikelelo Nyauza leaped onto a corner-kick too easily, having time to turn and steer a shot just over the line after his initial header was blocked.
The visitors never really got in the match and were all but out when Tshegofatso Mabasa flicked in Deon Hotto’s corner off an Al Ahly defender before halftime. Kabelo Dlamini smashed home a rebound in the 69th minute to make it three for Pirates and leave them in a comfortable position heading into their final two CAFCC fixtures.
Highlights from both games are below.
ES Sétif 3-0 Enyimba
Orlando Pirates 3-0 Al Ahly Benghazi
