Orlando Pirates Secure Quarter-Final Spot in CAF champions League with Thrilling Victory Over CS Belouizdad
In a thrilling encounter on Sunday, Orlando Pirates of South Africa secured their place in the quarter-finals of the CAF Champions League with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Algeria’s CS Belouizdad. This historic achievement marks the Pirates’ first appearance in the tournament’s knockout stage, solidifying their status as one of Africa’s rising football powerhouses.
The match, played at a packed stadium, saw Orlando Pirates dominate proceedings early on. Rilbuhel Mofokeng opened the scoring in the 20th minute, capitalizing on a deflected shot from teammate Chigofatso Mabasa. Despite a valiant effort from Belouizdad’s goalkeeper Mustafa Zaghba, Mofokeng was quick to pounce on the rebound, slotting the ball into the net to give the hosts a crucial lead.
The second goal came in the 61st minute, courtesy of a stunning strike from thalent Mbatha. The midfielder unleashed a powerful shot from outside the penalty area, leaving the Belouizdad defense stunned and the crowd in awe.A tweet from the official CAF Champions League account described Mbatha’s effort as a “missile,” capturing the sheer brilliance of the moment.
Despite their dominance,Orlando Pirates faced a late scare when Belouizdad’s captain,Abdel Raouf Bin Ghaith,scored a stunning goal in stoppage time. His long-range effort took a deflection, deceiving the Pirates’ goalkeeper and finding the back of the net. However, it was too little, too late for the Algerian side, as the Pirates held on to secure the win.
With this victory, Orlando Pirates now sit atop Group C with 11 points, one ahead of Egypt’s Al-Ahly. The result also ensured Al-Ahly’s qualification to the quarter-finals, setting up an exciting final group-stage clash between the two giants in Cairo.
Key Moments from the Match
| Time | Event | Description |
|———-|———–|—————–|
| 20′ | Goal | Rilbuhel Mofokeng scores after a rebound from Chigofatso Mabasa’s shot. |
| 61′ | Goal | Thalent Mbatha fires a powerful shot from outside the box to double the lead. |
| 90+2′ | Goal | Abdel Raouf Bin Ghaith scores a late consolation goal for Belouizdad. |
The victory not only highlights Orlando Pirates’ growing prowess in African football but also sets the stage for an electrifying showdown with Al-Ahly. as the group stage reaches its climax, all eyes will be on Cairo, where the Pirates will aim to cement their position as group leaders.
For Belouizdad, the journey ends here.Despite their spirited performance, they remain in third place with six points, unable to catch Al-Ahly’s tally of 10.Their final match against Abidjan Stadium will be a chance to end their campaign on a high note, but their dreams of progressing further in the tournament have been dashed.
As the Orlando Pirates continue their remarkable journey in the CAF Champions League, fans can look forward to more thrilling performances and unforgettable moments. Stay tuned for updates as the Pirates aim to make history in Africa’s premier club competition.
