Orlando Pirates marked their return to the CAF Champions League group stage with a vital victory, winning 2-1 away to Algeria’s CR Belouizdad in their thrilling Group C opener at Stade 5 de Juillet on Tuesday night.
The Soweto Giants benefitted from a clinical first-half performance which gave them a handy lead ahead of a spirited fight back from the hosts in the second period. It is a win that places them second in their group, tied on points with Egyptian giants Al Ahly.
They had to do it in front of an intimidating crowd in Algiers, but were largely unfazed as they burst out of the gates with confidence and control. It only took five minutes to strike as Relebohile Mofokeng positioned himself perfectly to collect a loose ball from the edge of the box before freeing Mohau Nkota, who coolly slotted home the opener to give his side a dream start.
The home side looked to hit back and were twice denied by defender Nkosinathi Sibisi. Their best chance in the opening exchanges was thwarted by a brilliant double save from goalkeeper Sipho Chaine, who kept out a stinging shot from range before dealing with Islam Slimani’s effort from a rebound.
Nkota had an opportunity to double his tally on the night just eight minutes after bagging his first, but could only draw a save from the onrushing Belouizdad goalkeeper Moustafa Zeghba. Pirates managed to revive the attack from the rebound, resulting in another close call, this time from Patrick Maswanganyi who sent his shot narrowly wide.
The youngster’s second did eventually come, and it arrived in spectacular fashion when he connected with Mofokeng once more before unleashing a stunner of a shot which evaded the outstretched Zeghba.
Trailing by two, the home side intensified their efforts to get back in the game and could have pulled one back after the half-hour mark as Slimani got a sniff at the Bucs goal, only to poke his shot over the crossbar. The home team had another chance just before the break as Housseyn Selmi darted across field from the left before placing his effort inches wide.
Zeghba was called on early in the second half as he dealt with a diagonal ball from Thalente Mbatha, who looked to further extend the visitors’ lead in the 48th minute. However, most of the goalmouth action after the break occurred in the visitors’ half where replacement forwards Khanyisa Mayo and Aimen Mahious constantly threatened.
The Reds eventually found their breakthrough, and it came via the former Cape Town City men who headed in from close range to make it 2-1. The goal gave the Algerians a jolt of confidence as they continued to bear down on the visitors’ goal.
Pirates had the rare foray deep into opposition territory without creating any clear-cut chances. They mainly had to man their defensive lines amid relentless approaches from Belouizdad who were looking to salvage a point at home.
The equaliser was not forthcoming however as the Soweto Giants restricted the hosts to just a single goal, getting off to a perfect start with three points on the road.
Pirates XI: Chaine, Sibisi, Sesane, Monyane (Van Rooyen 76'), Hotto, Makhaula, Mbatha (Dlamini 76'), Nkota (Rasebotja 88'), Maswanganyi, Mofokeng (Mako 67') and Makgopa (Mabasa 88').
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