Orlando Pirates booked their place in the quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League with a 2-1 win over Chabab Belouizdad in Johannesburg on Sunday.
The result not only ended the Algerian side’s hopes of advancing but also confirmed Al Ahly’s progression from Group C.
The South Africans started strongly and were rewarded in the 20th minute when Relebohele Mofokeng capitalized on a rebound.
Belouizdad’s goalkeeper saved an initial effort, but Mofokeng was quickest to react, slotting the ball home to give Orlando an early lead.
The Pirates doubled their advantage in the 61st minute through a stunning strike by Talanti Mbatha.
The midfielder surged forward from midfield and unleashed a powerful shot from 25 yards that crashed into the net off the crossbar, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance.
Chabab Belouizdad pulled a goal back in stoppage time when Abdel Raouf Ben Guit fired in from close range, but it was too late to mount a comeback.
The defeat means the Algerian club remains in third place with six points, while Orlando tops the group with 11 points, followed by Al Ahly on 10.
Orlando will face Al Ahly in Cairo in the final group match to decide the top spot, while Belouizdad’s campaign ends in disappointment.
Meanwhile, Esperance also secured their place in the quarter-finals with a narrow 1-0 victory over Djoliba in Bamako on Sunday.
The win, courtesy of Elias Mokwana’s decisive goal in the 67th minute, leaves the Tunisian side at the top of Group D with 10 points.
The visitors dominated possession early on, creating several opportunities to break the deadlock. Hamza Jelassi came closest in the first half, but his header struck the post. Djoliba, relying on quick counter-attacks, saw Simbara’s header narrowly miss the target in the 25th minute.
Esperance finally found the breakthrough in the second half when Mokwana capitalized on a defensive lapse to slot home. The Tunisian side missed a chance to extend their lead when Jelassi’s 71st-minute effort went wide.
Djoliba, stuck on two points, have been eliminated from contention, while Esperance and Pyramids advance to the next stage.
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