Johannesburg – Orlando Pirates let a one-goal lead slip as African giants Zamalek of Egypt snatched a 2-1 win in their Confederation Cup Group B match at Mbombela Stadium, in Nelspruit, on Saturday.
Despite opening the scoring just after the hour mark through Lehlohonolo Majoro, albeit against the run of play, Pirates were well-placed to grab the three points at home. But a spirited fightback from the 19-time African title winners Zamalek followed with goals coming from Maarouf Youssef and Mostafa Fathi to wrestle the result from the Buccaneers.
Earlier, Thabo Rakhale sent a ball into the area and Issa Sarr’s effort hurtled into the post as Pirates began to threaten in the early stages of the encounter.
Moments before the hour mark, Kermit Erasmus sent in a curling free-kick into the box and Sarr’s header was nudged narrowly over the crossbar.
With 50 minutes gone, Zamalek began to threaten with Basem Morsi shooting inches wide as the scores remained 0-0.
In the 64th minute, Zamalek pounced on a loose ball in the midfield and Basem Morsi’s left-footed strike needed a good save from Brighton Mhlongo in the Pirates goal.
Minutes after coming on as a substitute in the second half, Majoro broke the deadlock for Pirates in the 68th minute. Sifiso Myeni started the move and spotted the flying Majoro running into the box, and with his first touch the striker fired into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead.
The visitors took less than five minutes to find an equaliser as they levelled the scores in the 72nd minute. Zamalek carved open the Pirates defence and Maarouf Youssef produced a powerful shot into the roof of the net to make it 1-1.
Zamalek hit the lead in the 84th minute. A lapse in the Pirates defence allowed Mostafa Fathi to make a run into the box, take a touch and pick his spot past a despairing Mhlongo as the visitors led 2-1. - ANA