South Africa's Orlando Pirates are the winners of Group C in the CAF Champions League after the Bucs stunned defending champions Al Ahly 2-1 in Cairo on Saturday evening. Tshegofatso Mabasa's second half header was the difference after Pirates midfielder Relebohile Mofokeng's opening goal was cancelled out by Ahly forward Hussein El Shahat.
It was a professional effort from Pirates who restricted the Al Ahly attack away from home. Ahly were able to create a couple of chances in the first half but failed to make the breakthrough, allowing the visitors from South Africa to gain confidence.
Poor defending from Ahly was exploited by the Bucs attack in the 53rd minute when Thalente Mbatha's early cross found Mofokeng, who took the ball down without trouble before finishing past Ahly goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir.
El Shahat leveled the match in the 69th minute when the veteran winger ran onto an excellent pass from Karim El Debes before looping his finish over a helpless Sipho Chaine in the Pirates goal. However, the visitors responded with the match winner in the 83rd minute when Kabelo Dlamini's cross was flicked into the Ahly goal off the crossbar by Mabasa.
In the other Group C match from Algiers, CR Belouizdad humiliated visiting Stade d'Abidjan by a 6-0 score at home. Mohamed Belkhir scored twice with goals from Abderrahmane Meziane and Aymen Mahious as well. It was too little too late for the Algerian club who were eliminated from contention to reach the quarterfinals last week while last placed Stade d'Abidjan were playing merely for pride.
Results
Al Ahly (EGY) 1-2 Orlando Pirates (RSA)
CR Belouizdad (ALG) 6-0 Stade d'Abidjan (CIV)
Final Group C Table
GP | Points | |
Orlando Pirates | 6 | 14 |
Al Ahly | 6 | 10 |
CR Belouizdad | 6 | 9 |
Stade d'Abidjan | 6 | 1 |
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