Pirates out to deny Al Ahli making more history

Orlando Pirates will be looking to keep their African dream alive when they take on Al Ahli Tripoli at the Martyrs of February Stadium on Sunday in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup semifinals.

Kick-off is at 6pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)

MATCH BACKGROUND

The Buccaneers have reached the penultimate stage of the competition for the first time since 2015, when they made it all the way to the final before losing to Etoile du Sahel.

Pirates were hoping for a re-match against Al-Ittihad after they were drawn together in the group stages, but Al Ahli denied them that wish by beating their arch-rivals in the quarterfinals to secure their first-ever last-four berth in the Confederation Cup.

The Soweto giants needed penalties to get past Simba in the previous round after a 1-1 aggregate scoreline over the two legs.

Amabhakabhaka aren't in the best of form coming into this weekend's encounter, having won just one of their last five matches across all competitions, with their most recent result a 1-0 defeat to TS Galaxy in the DStv Premiership on Monday.

Fathi Jabal's side are undefeated in 11 league and cup games since being beaten 2-1 by Pyramids on matchday 1 in the group stages and they drew 1-1 with Alittihad Misurata last time out in the Libyan Premier League.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The two teams have never met before on the African stage and Al Ahli Tripoli will be hoping to make more history by claiming the prized scalp of the Sea Robbers for a spot in the final.

HOW THEY PROGRESSED

Libya's most successful club began their journey in the first qualifying round with a comfortable 4-0 victory over Hay Al-Wadi before beating Biashara United 2-0 in the second qualifying round, with both ties settled over just one leg.

The Leader then advanced to the group stages after eliminating Stade Malien 4-2 on penalties in the playoff round, which finished 1-1 on aggregate over the two legs.

Al Ahli went on to top Group A on 13 points with an almost identical record to Pyramids, who finished runners-up after losing 1-0 in Benghazi on matchday 5.

The Tripoli outfit disposed of neighbours Al-Ittihad in the last eight, with a 1-0 victory in the second leg enough to see them march on following a goalless first leg.

Meanwhile, Pirates scraped past CSMD Diables Noirs in the second qualifying round with a 1-0 win on aggregate over the two legs and they beat LPRC Oilers 2-0 in a one-legged playoff tie after the Liberian team withdrew from the return leg in South Africa.

Bucs lost just once in Group B (3-2 against Al-Ittihad on matchday 2) to progress to the knockout phase as winners ahead of Al Ameed on 13 points and they had to come from behind in the quarterfinals after going down 1-0 to the Reds of Msimbazi in the first leg in Dar-es-Salaam.

Penalties were needed to settle the tie after the Sea Robbers won 1-0 in the second leg in Johannesburg and they eventually triumphed 4-3 in the shootout.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Al Ahli Tripoli - Mohammad El-Fakih

The on-loan Maghreb Fes midfielder is Al Ahli's joint-top scorer in the competition with two goals, having bagged a brace against Zanaco in the group stages. El-Fakih has featured in all eight games on the continent since making the switch in January and could yet earn a permanent move to the Libyan capital at the end of the season.

Orlando Pirates - Kabelo Dlamini

The 25-year-old winger has played an increasing important role for Pirates in Africa, with six of his nine appearances coming as starts. Dlamini has found the back of the net three times in the competition, although his last goal came in the 2-0 win over JS Saoura on matchday 5.

WHAT THEY SAID

Bucs co-coach Mandla Ncikazi is determined to finish the season with silverware as the Confederation Cup is the only avenue left open for them to achieve that and he's counting on their experience to see them through.

"Pirates have always been in African championships. I don't think there is anything new," Ncikazi said. "It also helps us that some of the players have been part of that history. So it helps with that experience.

"We are in it to win it. We should not be in this competition to make up numbers. With the history that this club has done it before [in 1995] we should (win).

"And my wish is that Pirates should get into the main one, which is the Champions League - without saying the Confederation Cup is the easier one, it's still a big honour."