Johannesburg – Orlando Pirates booked their place in the semi-finals of the Caf Confederation Cup for the first time in the club’s history after beating Congo’s AC Leopards here on Saturday night.
Goals from Mpho Makola in the first half, and Oupa Manyisa late in the match saw the Sea Robbers progress in this continental cup competition, though a draw would have been enough for them to reach the semis.
AC Leopards looked threatening in the first 25 minutes. The Congolese outfit came highly motivated and played some attacking football.
And rightly so, they had beaten Zamalek 1-0 on home turf a fortnight ago, ending their three-game unbeaten run in Group B building up to this clash.
Pirates’ first chance at goal came in the fifth minute when Kermit Erasmus played a brilliant cross into the box to find Thamsanqa Gabuza. The striker, however, failed to give Pirates an early lead.
Three minutes later, Leopards responded with an attacking move of their own. However, Cesair Gandze’s shot did not trouble Pirates goalkeeper Filipe Ovono as it went way over the crossbar.
Erasmus then produced another sublime pass 18 minutes into the game to find midfielder Sifiso Myeni who was unmarked outside the box. Myeni’s shot, however, was deflected for a corner.
Pirates kept on asking questions with some dazzling attacking moves but it was their finishing that let them down.
The Buccaneers scored their opener when Mpho Makola coolly converted after a cross from Erasmus in the 33rd minute.
Pirates should have gone 2-0 up at the stroke of half-time when Manyisa’s pass for Makola was intercepted by Erasmus who was in an offside position.
The Sea Robbers continued the momentum they had built in the first half. Gabuza missed three scoring chances in quick succession. The first came just five minutes after the break.
The striker’s diving header went wide after Myeni spotted him inside the danger zone.
Gabuza then went on a blistering run in the 72nd minute beating two opponents but his shot was blocked by Leopards goalkeeper Lawrence Ngoe.
Seven minutes later, there was more frustration for Gabuza as Ngoe pulled off yet another sterling save.
Skipper Manyisa made it 2-0 three minutes before full-time following a teasing cross from Lehlohonolo Majoro who came on in the 74th minute for Erasmus.
Pirates have been on a high after their first Group B defeat at the hands of Zamalek 2-1 at Mbombela Stadium.
For Pirates, though, that defeat came with many lessons which helped improve their game. They have since worked on keeping their shape at the back as they move forward.
They have also been technically and tactically disciplined.
Their latter performances in the group stage, both against CS Sfaxien, showed they had mastered the art of winning games.
And yesterday Pirates were brilliant, putting together a string of passes.
Bucs brought on playmaker Thabo “Jomo” Rakhale for Myeni and midfielder Thandani Ntshumayelo replaced Gabuza late in the second half.
Pirates meet Zamalek in a fortnight’s time in Egypt in the final group match.
Orlando Stadium
Orlando Pirates (1) 2
Makola 33, Manyisa 87
AC Leopards 0
– The Sunday Independent