- Pirates now sit top of Group B with nine points
- Royal Leopards have been eliminated after losing all their matches
- JS Saoura scored after 36 seconds to move second
South African giants Orlando Pirates moved a step closer to qualifying for the quarter finals of the CAF Confederation Cup after completing a double over eSwatini’s Royal Leopards, thrashing them 3-0 in Johannesburg on Sunday to move back top of Group B.
Three second half goals from Fortune Makaringe, Kabelo Dlamini and Terrence Dzvukamanja earned the Bucaneers their third win of the group as they moved top with nine points. They had beaten Leopards 6-2 when the two sides met in the first leg a fortnight ago.
Leopards meanwhile suffered their fourth successive defeat in the group and are no longer in contention for a place in the quarter finals.
Orlando Pirates celebrate after their win
The eSwatini side had come into the tie, determined to save face and pick at least a point off the tie. They played in a structured manner, but could not get the best in terms of creating goal scoring opportunities.
Pirates stepped up in the second half and just three minutes in, Makaringe struck them ahead when he noticed the Leopards keeper off his line and struck a sublime shot.
They should have made it 2-0 in the 53rd minute when a brilliant cross from Dean Hotto caught the run of Dzvukamanja inside the box, but the substitute lifted the ball over from close range.
Two minutes later though, they scored their second goal when Dlamini finished off superbly inside the box after playing a one-two with Goodman Mosele, the latter putting him through on goal with a beautiful backheel.
Dzvukamanja then made amends for his earlier miss in the 69th minute with a powerful header off a corner, to put Pirates firmly infront. The substitute should have completed his brace in the 76th minute, but his header from a Sam Bongani cross went inches wide.
But, with a three-goal cushion, Pirates were comfortable and easily saw off the game to improve their hopes of making the last eight.
Orlando Pirates vs Leopards
Meanwhile, Algeria’s JS Saoura moved to second in the group after edging oit AL Ittihad of Libya by a solitary goal.
Oussama Bellatreche hit the back of the net after 36 seconds of the match, handing his side a lead that they jealously guarded for the rest of the game.
The victory at their backyard saw Saoura move to second in Group B with seven points, two behind leaders Orlando Pirates with two rounds of matches left.
Ittihad are also on seven points but Saoura sit better on the table due to the victory on Sunday evening.
Bellatreche hit the back of the net very early on, making the most of an error from Ittihad keeper Muad Allafi. The shot stopper dropped a seemingly feeble shot and the Saoura striker was close by to throw and leg and break the deadlock.
It wasn’t a game of many chances as the tie was reduced to a feisty battle for possession especially in midfield.
In the second half, Ittihad came off a better side and should have got back on level terms after 67 minutes when Omar Al Khouja broke into the box off a counter, but his shot was brilliantly saved by Saoura keeper Zakaria Saidi.
The visitors threw bodies upfront in search for a goal, but Saoura defended well to earn the win and boost their hopes of a first ever appearance in the quarter finals of a continental tournament.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login