Pirates secure CAF Champions League knockout spot

Orlando Pirates secured their place in the knockout round of the CAF Champions League this weekend following a convincing 2-0 victory against Belouizdad in Group C at the Orlando Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Buccaneers asserted themselves on the visiting side for much of the 90 minutes, as goals by Relebohile Mofokeng and Thalente Mbatha were enough for Pirates to bag maximum points on home soil.

The Soweto giants saw most of the ball during the first 10 minutes of the match but did little to trouble the Belouizdad backline in their attacking advances. Pirates appeared to have targeted their left-wing as an outlet going forward, with Deon Hotto picking up inviting positions inside the Belouizdad half.

After putting their Algerian counterparts under pressure for much of the opening quarter, Pirates took the lead in the 19th minute.

Tshegofatso Mabasa let off a deflected shot that forced Moustapha Zeghba to correct his step before he parried the ball straight into the path of an onrushing Mofokeng, who scored from a tight angle.

The Buccaneers continued to dominate the possession count as the halftime whistle approached, while the Algerian side battled to progress the ball up field. Nevertheless, Pirates managed to see the half through with their 1-0 advantage in place.

Following a positive start to the second-half, Orlando Pirates maintained their forward momentum all the way to the hour-mark.

Pirates then doubled their advantage in the 61st minute as Mbatha joined Mofokeng on the scoresheet. With the Algerian giants backtracking on the edge of the area, Mbatha found the back of the net with a thunderous shot from range that ricocheted in off the crossbar.

Belouizdad grew into the game as the 75th minute made its way and troubled the Bucs backline on a couple of occasions. Despite Pirates being in the driver's seat as far as the score count was concerned, Belouizdad began creating notable scoring opportunities after going two goals down.

The Soweto giants were placed under immense pressure toward the end of the match with Belouizdad actively searching to get a respectable result from the tie.

Nevertheless, Pirates did enough to see out the game unscathed and maintained their spot at the top of Group C with an important 2-0 win in Soweto.

Orlando Pirates: (1) 2 (Mofokeng 19’, Mbatha 61’)

CR Belouizdad: 0

ORLANDO PIRATES: Chaine, van Rooyen, Sesane, Sibisi (Xoki 96’), Hotto, Mbatha (Dlamini 85’), Maswanganyi, Makhaula, Nkota (Mako 64’), Mabasa (Makgopa 64’), Mofokeng (Lebitso 85’)

CR BELOUIZDAD: Zeghba, Benayada, Selmi (Doumbia 86’), Khacef, Meziane (Hamroune 86’), Benguit, Keddad, Chaabi (Belkhir 64’), Slimani (Zerrouki 73’), Mayo (Dlamini 85’), Hadded