Published:
Sunday, January 12, 2025

Orlando Pirates secured their place in the quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League with a 2-1 win over Chabab Belouizdad in Johannesburg on Sunday.

The result not only ended the Algerian team’s hopes of progressing, but also confirmed Al Ahly’s promotion from Group C.

The South Africans started strongly and were rewarded in the 20th minute when Relebohele Mofokeng capitalized on a rebound.

Belouizdad’s goalkeeper saved an initial attempt, but Mofokeng reacted quickest and fired the ball into the goal to give Orlando an early lead.

The Pirates doubled their lead in the 61st minute with a stunning goal from Talanti Mbatha.

The midfielder stormed forward from midfield and shot a powerful shot from 25 meters that crashed off the crossbar and into the net, leaving the goalkeeper no chance.

Chabab Belouizdad scored another goal in stoppage time when Abdel Raouf Ben Guit fired in from close range, but it was too late for a comeback.

The defeat means the Algerian club remains in third place with six points, while Orlando leads the group with 11 points, followed by Al Ahly with 10.

Orlando face Al Ahly in the final group game in Cairo to secure top spot, while Belouizdad’s season ends in disappointment.

In the meantime, Esperance A narrow 1-0 win also ensured a place in the quarter-finals Djoliba on Sunday in Bamako.

The victory, achieved by Elias Mokwana’s decisive goal in the 67th minute, leaves the Tunisian side top of Group D with 10 points.

The visitors dominated possession at the start and had several opportunities to break the stalemate. Hamza Jelassi came closest in the first half, but his header hit the post. Djoliba, who relied on quick counterattacks, narrowly missed Simbara’s header wide of the goal in the 25th minute.

Esperance finally made their breakthrough in the second half when Mokwana took advantage of a defensive error and shot into the goal. The Tunisian team missed the chance to extend their lead when Jelassi’s shot went wide in the 71st minute.

Djoliba, stuck on two points, is out of the competition while Esperance and Pyramids progress to the next round.