Relebohile Mofokeng’s rebound and Thalente Mbatha’s thunderous strike ensured Orlando Pirates made it past the CAF Champions League group stage for the first time in five years.
Pirates sealed their place in the quarter-final with a match to spare following a 2-1 victory over Algerian club CR Belouizdad at the Orlando Stadium on Sunday to continue a remarkable run and maintain their unbeaten run in this season’s competition.
The Buccaneers came into the match knowing victory will see them qualify and get their hands on the $900,000 (R17 million) set aside for Champions League quarter-finalists and they did just that.
In a first half when both sides did not create much, Pirates went ahead after 20 minutes when Mofokeng tapped home after the Belouizdad goalkeeper punched out Tshegofatso Mabasa’s shot.
The 20-year-old reacted quickly to score before the goalkeeper was on his feet after the save, having been positioned close to him in the box.
Pirates restricted Belouizdad
Six minutes later, Abderrahmane Meziane should have equalised when he beat the offside trap and found himself one-on-one with Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine but watched agonisingly as his attempt went wide.
After that, the visitors upped the ante but still could not find their way past the Pirates defence and had to rely in set-pieces to try and breach the home side.
Bafana Bafana star Khanyisa Mayo tried his luck from a freekick three minutes to halftime but did not trouble Sipho Chaine in the Pirates goal as Jose Riveiro’s men went to the break leading 1-0.
In the second half, Pirates employed a cautious approach, seeking to protect what they had, while waiting for their moments to attack.
As the clock ticked, it appeared that it would take something special for the Algerians to equalise or for Pirates to extend their lead and it arrived just after the hour mark.
How did Mbatha do it?
Mbatha picked the ball in midfield from Makhehlene Makhaula and after two touches, unleashed an unstoppable shot into the net to make it 2-0 in the 61st minute.
The goal did not deter Belouizdad who kept attacking and Abdelraouf Benguit came close 18 minutes from time after beating his markers on the left wing but could not find the target.
Belouizdad kept going and were rewarded with a late goal from a well-worked set-piece. From a corner, the ball was rolled to an unmarked Benguit, who was stationed away from the Pirates’ wall, and he slotted the ball past the forest if legs to beat Chaine in the first of the six minutes added on.
It was too little too late, however, as Pirates held on to secure all three points and a place at the top of Group C on 11 points from five matches, one ahead of defending champions Al Ahly, who they play in their final fixture on January 18.
Pirates can now look forward to playing the match in Cairo more relaxed as they have already secured their place in the last eight.
