Orlando Pirates took a step closer to qualifying for the quarterfinals of the CAF Champions League after the South African club turned on the flair in Saturday's 3-0 victory over Ivorian club Stade d'Abidjan. The Bucs moved to the top of Group C courtesy of goals from Relebohile Mofokeng, Patrick Maswanganyi and Deon Hotto in a dominant performance that eliminated Stade d'Abidjan from contention for the knockout stages.
The Bucs displayed the confidence and swagger that is emblematic of the best of South African football, asserting themselves quickly at home against their overwhelmed Ivorian opponents. After threatening early the hosts took the lead in the 22nd minute through an excellent team movement that ended with an easy tap-in for Mofokeng.
It took until the second half before Stade posed any sort of threat to the Pirates goal and by then it was too late for the visitors. Soon after halftime, victory was confirmed for Pirates by another beautiful goal. In the 50th minute another quick passing movement saw Maswanganyi collect a pass in the penalty area and cleverly turn past a Stade defender before slotting his finish past Bamba and inside the far post.
Substitutions from Stade d'Abidjan after the hour mark settled the match down and created some danger for Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine. but the Buccaneers added one more late on from longtime servant Deon Hotto. The Soweto club are now a point ahead of Al Ahly and two points clear of Algeria's CR Belouizdad in the battle for Group C supremacy. Next Sunday an important clash awaits at home against CRB where victory will clinch qualification for the knockout stages for Pirates.
Highlights
Group C Table
Games Played | Points | |
Orlando Pirates | 4 | 8 |
Al Ahly | 4 | 7 |
CR Belouizdad | 4 | 6 |
Stade d'Abidjan | 4 | 1 |
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