* We lacked the opportunities we had, especially in the first half—Pirates coach Jose Rivero
* As Mamelodi Sundowns drew 1-1 with Morocco’s AS FAR Rabat to accumulate 2 points from two draws
Maravi Express
Despite controlling much of the game in the opening 45 minutes, Council for Southern African Football Associations (COSAFA) representatives in the CAF Champions League, Orlando Pirates of South Africa side were unable to capitalise on their chances at home and had to settle for a 0-0 draw holders Al Ahly of Egypt.
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The two teams tie on 4 points having both won their Matchday 1 fixtures with the South African securing a gritty 2-1 win over Algeria’s CR Belouizdad while Al Ahly dominated Côte d’Ivoire’s Stade d’Abidjan at 4-2.
Al Ahly lead Group C on goal difference while CR Belouizdad beat Stade d’Abidjan 1-0 in the other match for the Algerians to occupy 3rd place.
“We lacked the opportunities we had, especially in the first half,” Orlando Pirates coach Jose Rivero told CAFonline after the tense encounter at the Orlando Stadium, in which both teams struggled to find the back of the net despite creating several chances throughout the match.
Rivero admitted that while his team’s performance was solid, especially in defense, the failure to score was a key disappointment: “We played a strong match until the end against a competitor with long experience in the Champions League. Not achieving victory is the only negative point.”
Coach Rivero
The Pirates were the better side in the first half, with several key chances to take the lead — however, as the game progressed, Al Ahly, led by Swiss coach Marcel Koller, found their rhythm and put pressure on the hosts.
Yet, the Egyptian giants were also unable to convert their opportunities and their coach said: “We created several chances in front of Orlando Pirates’ goal, and the opponent also had several attempts.”
Despite the draw, both coaches found positives in their teams’ performances. Koller, while acknowledging the missed opportunities, expressed satisfaction with the point gained on the road.
“Each team got a valuable point in the tournament, and we will close the chapter on this match,” he said.
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There were thrilling encounters in Matchday 2 across the continent as teams battled for crucial points in their quest to advance to the knockout stages and in Group B, COSAFA’s second representatives, Mamelodi Sundowns drew 1-1 with AS FAR Rabat played at the former champions home in El Jadida.
It was the South Africans who scored first through Iqraam Rayners’ second-half goal but Mohammed Hrimat equalised shortly after for the Sundowns to remain unbeaten with two points, while AS FAR top the group with four.
In the other group B encounter, Maniema Union salvaged a 1-1 draw against Raja Casablanca thanks to Joseph Bakasu’s thunderous equaliser.
Raja, still winless, sit at the bottom with one point, while Maniema climbs to second with two points, keeping the group tightly contested.
Tanzania is being represented by Young Africans in Group A but are without a point — the second defeat being at the hands of Algerian side, MC Alger at 2-0 played at the Stade du 5 Juillet.
Sudan’s Al Hilal Omdurman continued their perfect start in that group with a dramatic 2-1 victory over DRC’s TP Mazembe to lead with 6 points followed by MC Alger (4 points) TP Mazembe (1 point) and Young Africans at the bottom after two losses.
Stalemates dominate in tight Group D as Pyramids and Djoliba battled to a goalless draw in Mali, leaving both sides frustrated in a defensive encounter.
Pyramids retain top spot with four points, while Djoliba sits at the bottom with one. Similarly, Esperance Tunis was held to a 0-0 draw by Sagrada Esperança in Angola.
Despite dominating, Esperance couldn’t break Sagrada’s solid defense. The Tunisian side is tied with Pyramids on four points but leads on goal difference.
Matchday 3 fixtures
Group A
* Mazembe vs Young Africans (14 Dec, 13:00 GMT); MC Alger vs Al Hilal (14 Dec, 19:00 GMT)
Group B
* Maniema vs AS FAR Rabat (14 Dec, 13:00 GMT); Raja Casablanca vs Mamelodi Sundowns (15 Dec, 13:00 GMT)
Group C
* Al Ahly vs CR Belouizdad (13 Dec, 11:00 GMT); Stade d’Abidjan vs Orlando Pirates (14 Dec, 16:00 GMT)
Group D
* Esperance Tunis vs Pyramids (14 Dec, 19:00 GMT); Djoliba vs Sagrada Esperança (15 Dec, 16:00 GMT).—Content by CAFonline; editing by Maravi Express
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