CAF Confed Cup Group B: Orlando Pirates 2 vs 0 AC Leopards

Pirates through to semis

Orlando Pirates booked a place in the semifinals of the Confederation Cup with a 2-0 win over Congo’s AC Leopards at Orlando Stadium on Saturday evening.

Goals from Mpho Makola and Oupa Manyisa saw Eric Tinkler’s side to victory, final-four qualification and the top of Group B in the continental competition – at least until Zamalek’s match against CS Sfaxien on Sunday.

After a bright start from Pirates, it was Leopards who created the better chances in the opening half hour. The Congo side should have opened the scoring just before the 20-minute mark when Cesair Gandze raced free, but he was denied by a brilliant save from Felipe Ovono.

The Buccaneers then broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute when the excellent Kermit Erasmus broke free down the right and picked out Mpho Makola with a low cross – the midfielder fired a low shot into the bottom corner for his third goal of the week, having netted twice in a 4-1 win over Chippa United on Tuesday.

Despite taking the lead, Pirates looked uneasy against their strong and athletic opponents, who always looked dangerous in the final third of the field and regularly stretched the home side’s defence to the limit. However, too often their final pass or decision making cost them scoring opportunities.

Pirates almost doubled their lead five minutes into the second half when striker Thamsanqa Gabuza threw himself at a cross from Sifiso Myeni, but his diving header flashed wide of the near post, while Leopards’ Heritier Ngouelou blazed over from a good chance in the 66th minute.

As the match wore on and the Congo visitors began to commit more men forward, it seemed only a matter of time until Bucs scored a goal on the counter attack to kill off the match, however, they were twice denied by brilliant saves from goalkeeper Lawrence Ngoe.

However, there was nothing the gloves-man could do to deny Oupa Manyisa doubling the score in the 87th minute, with the Bucs captain sliding in to convert from Lehlohonolo Majoro’s fine assist.

Pirates will meet Zamalek in a fortnight’s time for the final group match, with the clash in Egypt set to decide who finished top of the standings.

Orlando Pirates (1) 2 (Makola 33’, Manyisa 87’)

AC Leopards 0

Teams:

Orlando Pirates: Ovono, Jele, Sangweni, Mahamutsa, Gcaba, Sarr, Manyisa, Makola, Myeni (Rakhale 86’), Erasmus (Majoro 74’), Gabuza (Ntshumayelo 82’)

AC Leopards: Ngoe, Ndzana, Ngounga, Auzingoini, Bissiki, Kalema, Madila (Mukenga 59’), Ndougsa, Ngouelou (Cisse 83’), Gandze, Babanda (Bidimbou 46’)

Orlando Pirates secured their place in the 2015 CAF Confederation Cup semi-finals thanks to a 2-0 win over AC Leopards on Saturday evening.

Pirates brushed aside the Congolese outfit with goals from Mpho Makola and captain Oupa Manyisa to move into top spot of Group B with 12 points from five games.

The home side got proceeding underway at the Orlando Stadium and should have grabbed the opener in the fifth minute, but Gabuza was unable to get onto the end of Erasmus cross.

Leopards then saw themselves with a great opportunity four minutes later, but Felipe Ovono was equal to the task and tipped an effort from close range over his cross bar.

In the 18th minute, Ovono was again called into action and did well to thwart another Leopards attempt in a one-on-one situation with Ngouelou.

Just after the half hour mark, Erasmus freed himself out wide on the right and beat two Leopards defenders before his cut-back found Makola, who slotted home from 18 yeards out.

Pirates went into the half-time break the happier of the two sides after endiring a nervy start, as Leopards failed to threaten Ovono after the opening goal.

Two chances withing the first 10 minutes of the second half should have seen Pirates go three goals up, but Gabuza and Jele were both unfortunate not to find the back of the net.

Leopards should have pulled one back in the 66th minute, however, Ngouelou blasted his effort over the bar from six yards out.

Tinkler then replaced the industrious Erasmus with the fresh legs of Lehlohonolo Majoro, who became provider for Manyisa' 87th minute goal, which sealed the match for the Buccaneers.

The result sees Pirates go three points ahead of Zamalek, who have a game in hand against CS Sfaxien on Sunday.

Line-ups:

Pirates XI: Ovono, Jele, Mahamutsa, Sangweni, Gcaba, Makola, Sarr, Manyisa, Myeni (Rakhale 86'), Gabuza (Ntshumayelo 82'), Erasmus (Majoro 74')

Subs: Motupa, Rakhale, Maselesa, Ntshumayelo, Gumede, Memela, Majoro

AC Leopards XI: Ngoe, Ndzana, Ngounga (c), Bissiki, Ndougsa, Kalema, Gandze, Madila, Babanda, Auzingoini, Ngouelou

CONFEDERATION CUP

Saturday 22 August 2015
Orlando Pirates 2-0 AC Léopards
Espérance de Tunis 0-1 Al Ahly

Sunday 23 August 2015Stade Malien v Etoile Sportive du Sahel – 17h30 at Stade Modibo Keita (Group A)
CS Sfaxien v Zamalek – 20h30 at Stade Taieb Mhiri (Group B)