The two teams that will qualify for the quarterfinals of the CAF Champions League out of Group C is now decided after Orlando Pirates defeated Algeria's CR Belouizdad to win 2-1 in South Africa on Sunday. Relebohile Mofokeng and Thalente Mbatha scored for the hosts, who held off a late charge to move back into first place in the group. CRB, in third place, are eliminated from contention to advance with Pirates and Egypt's Al Ahly now out of reach.
A dull beginning to the match saw neither team threaten much until the 20th minute when the Bucs took the lead. A long range effort from Tshegofatso Mabasa took a dramatic deflection and CRB goalkeeper Moustapha Zeghba could only parry the ball into the path of Mofokeng who finished from the rebound.
The match remained relatively even but another impressive moment from Pirates put the hosts out of reach. In the 61st minute, central midfielder Thalente Mbatha received the ball with too much room and the South Africa national team player unleashed a cannon of a shot in off the underside of the crossbar.
CRB, needing to avoid defeat, made a desperate push and found a late goal through midfielder Abdelraouf Benguit but Pirates just held off the late charge to secure three crucial points and qualification for the knockout stages.
Highlights
Group C Table
GP | Points | |
Orlando Pirates | 5 | 11 |
Al Ahly | 5 | 10 |
CR Belouizdad | 5 | 6 |
Stade d'Abidjan | 5 | 1 |
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