Sunday was a day of pleasure and historical past for Orlando Pirates. However that’s not all. The membership’s monetary managers banked a few tens of millions from the CAF Champions League match.

CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: ORLANDO PIRATES 2-1 CR BELOUIZDAD

After an honest begin in Group C, the Buccaneers wanted a straight win to advance to the quarterfinals. Orlando Pirates delivered a 2-1 win, courtesy of targets from Relebohile Mofokeng and Thalente Mbatha, whereas Abdelraouf Benguit discovered the comfort aim for the guests. Based on CAF’s prize cash for the 2024/25 season, quarterfinalists will earn USD900 000 (R17 million).

FULL MATCH REPORT FROM THE CLUB

“Orlando Pirates have certified for Knockout Phases of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League, following Saturday’s 2-1 win in opposition to CR Belouizdad at Orlando Stadium. That is after producing one other scientific efficiency at house, finishing a consequence similar to the one earned in Algiers within the away leg. Whereas sealing their spot within the quarterfinals, it banishes the guests to a group-stage end with one fixture left to play for either side.

“What was a high-stakes encounter between two Group C rivals hopeful of progressing to the final eight failed to provide fireworks within the preliminary levels, with each groups choosing warning early on. The house aspect did handle to manage issues from the onset, but it surely was the Algerians who conjured up the sport’s first actual shot in anger 16 minutes in. The prospect was sparked by Khanyisa Mayo who didn’t get the mandatory connection to direct his effort on course.

“The sport was jolted into life within the twentieth minute, following a wayward cross deep inside Belouizdad territory, which handed Bucs striker Tshegofatso Mabasa an opportunity to get a shot away. His try met a deflection on its strategy to goalkeeper Moustafa Zeghba, however the shot stopper might solely parry the ball onto the trail of Relebohile Mofokeng who was left to finish a tap-in to place his aspect forward.

“The Buccaneers’ lead might have been short-lived although, if not for a misdirected shot from  Abderrahmane Meziane within the twenty seventh minute. The striker discovered a well past the defence, beating Sipho Chaine, solely to position his shot on the mistaken aspect of the upright.

“An opportunity to double the lead was offered to the house aspect late within the first half, however Mabasa failed to attach with a stunning through-ball despatched in his course by Patrick Maswanganyi. This meant that solely a solitary aim separated the 2 sides as they headed into the tunnel.

“In making an attempt to revive parity, The Reds had a chance early after the restart when Mayo unselfishly laid one for his skipper, Islam Slimani. The previous Leicester Metropolis ahead nonetheless fluffed his strains as he despatched his shot into the stands as an alternative.

“The missed alternative got here to hang-out the guests after the hour mark when Thalente Mbatha doubled the lead. The midfielder was left unmarked in sufficient area to unlock one in all his trademark pictures from vary and located the goal with a firmly-struck effort which bounced off the within of the crossbar into the web.

“He had one other probability moments later, misdirecting his try at extending the lead additional. Belouizdad in the meantime regarded to drag one again and will have accomplished so within the 76th minute when alternative striker Mohamed Belkhir fired on the Pirates aim from shut vary, however solely succeeded in sending his shot extensive.

“The Algerians continued to hunt a means again into the competition, with Chaine pressured into some determined saves late on. They finally decreased their deficit in damage time when Abdelraouf Benguit discovered a well past the Bucs shot-stopper with the assistance of a deflection contained in the field. The aim arrange a tense end, however time was on the hosts’ aspect as they regarded to see out the competition. The ultimate whistle sounded finally, confirming the Buccaneers’ spot within the knockouts of the continents’ most prestigious membership competitors for the primary time in over a decade.

“Pirates XI: Chaine, Sesane, Sibisi, Van Rooyen, Hotto, Mbatha (Dlamini 84’) , Makhaula, Maswanganyi, Nkota (Mako 63’),  Mofokeng (Lebitso 84’), Mabasa (Makgopa 63’).“

In the meantime, the fixtures draw for the quarterfinals shall be held earlier than the primary week of February.

CAN ORLANDO PIRATES GO ON TO WIN THE CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE?

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