By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Orlando Pirates battled back from two early goals down to thrash Royal Leopards 6-2 in their Caf Confederation Cup group B clash at the Mbombela Stadium on Sunday night.
Pirates’ defence looked vulnerable after conceding two corners in the opening four minutes. The threat became real when Pirates failed to clear the second corner, and the ball fell obligingly for defender Mzwandile Mabelesa who was up in the striking zone for the set-piece.
His parting shot deflected off Pirates defender Happy Jele and ricochetted past helpless goalkeeper Siyabonga Mpontshane (1-0).
Two minutes later, Mpontshane again retrieved the ball from the back of the net, as Pirates were stunned by a second goal. This time Thabiso Mokenkoane, former Pretoria University striker, rose above the Pirates central defence to score with a header after connecting with a Mancoba Maseko cross into the opposition goalmouth (2-0).
Starting in the 20th minute, Pirates midfielder Kabelo Dlamini worked his way deep into the Leopards’ half before he whipped in a crosskick. Dlamini’s namesake, Machawe Dlamini, the Leopards captain tried to deal with the danger but deflected the ball into his net (2-1).
Next to score was fullback Bandile Shandu who ghosted into the striking zone in what was a smart play off the ball. Teammate Deon Hotto spotted the opportunity and slipped the ball to Shandu, who finished expertly to equalize (2-2).
A minute into first-half injury time, Pirates made it 3-2 when striker Kwame Pepra nodded home yet another Hotto scoring feed (3-2).
Pirates then added to Leopards’ woes with two more goals, Jele scored with a glancing header in the 57th minute (4-2)
Next on the scoresheet was Kabelo Dlamini who scored with an angled left-footed drive after latching on to a crossfield Thembinkosi Lorch feed (5-2).
After Pirates emptied their substitutes bench, Zimbabwean Terrence Dzvukamanja, made his substitution stint count when he hammered home his side’s sixth goal, 10 minutes from the head.
Pirates were comfortable in the dying minutes as they opened a two-point lead at the top of Group B with a crushing 6-2 win.
Meanwhile Sunday’s action kicked off with TP Mazembe clinching a narrow 1-0 win over Coton Sport at Stade TP Mazembe. Glody Likonza’s 86th-minute goal settled matters in DR Congo as the Ravens moved into pole position in group C on four points, four more than the Cottoners in fourth place.
AS Otoho boosted their chances of qualifying for the knockout stages after edging Al Masry 1-0 at Stade des Martyrs courtesy of Roland Okouri’s 87th-minute winner. The Congolese outfit remain third in group C, although they are tied with the Green Eagles on four points.
Second-half goals from Wilfried Gbeuli (63′) and Victorien Adebayor (90′) handed USGN a 2-0 victory against ASEC Mimosas at Stade General Seyni Kountche. The team from Niger picked up their first win in Group D to climb into second spot on four points, one ahead of the Mimosas, who are fourth.
Pyramids made it three wins from three in group A as Ali Gabr’s 90th-minute goal saw them beat CS Sfaxien 1-0 at the 30 June Stadium. The Egyptian club top the group on nine points, while Juventus El Arab remain in third place on three points.
Al Ittihad and JS Saoura could not be separated after their clash at the Benina Martyrs Stadium finished 1-1. Mohamed Ouis (30′) cancelled out Mohammad Zubya’s 22nd-minute opener for Al Ameed, who dropped to second in group B on four points, tied with the Eagles in third spot.
RS Berkane climbed to the group D summit with a 2-0 victory over Simba at Stade Municipal de Berkane, thanks to first-half goals from Adama Ba (32′) and Charki El Bahri (41′). The Orange Boys lead the way on six points, two ahead of third-placed Simba.
Al Ahli Tripoli remain on course to advance from group A after second-half goals from Ahmed El Trbi (79′) and Mohammed Mounir (85′) secured a 2-0 win over Zanaco at the Benina Martyrs Stadium. The Libyan side trail leaders Pyramids by three points in second position, with the Bankers propping up the group after failing to pick up a single point.
CAF Confederations Cup Sunday’s results:
- TP Mazembe 1-0 Coton Sport
- AS Otoho 1-0 Al Masry
- USGN 2-0 ASEC Mimosas
- Pyramids 1-0 CS Sfaxien
- Al Ittihad 1-1 JS Saoura
- RS Berkane 2-0 Simba
- Al Ahli Tripoli 2-0 Zanaco
- Royal Leopards 2-6 Orlando Pirates.