CAF Champions League
CAF Champions League: Orlando Pirates coach regrets missed chances in Al-Ahly draw
“We lacked the opportunities we had, especially in the first half,” said Orlando Pirates coach Jose Rivero after his team’s goalless draw against Al-Ahly in the CAF Champions League on Saturday.
Despite controlling much of the game in the opening 45 minutes, the South African side was unable to capitalize on their chances, leaving Rivero frustrated with the missed opportunities.
In a tense encounter at the Orlando Stadium, 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,” he said.
“Not achieving victory is the only negative point.”
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. “We created several chances in front of Orlando Pirates’ goal, and the opponent also had several attempts,” said Koller after the match.
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 remarked.
With this result, Al-Ahly remains top of Group C on goal difference, level on points with Orlando Pirates, who will now turn their attention to their upcoming matches.
Rivero noted that he would shift his focus to the local league before preparing for the next round of Champions League fixtures, against Stade d’Abidjan.
Meanwhile, Koller will look to refine his team’s finishing ahead of their next encounter in the group stage.
Egypt’s Pyramids claimed a deserved 2-1 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa. This led to a 3-2 aggregate success. They celebrated their first African Champions League title. This triumph occurred following the second leg of this year’s final at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo on Sunday.
The first leg in Pretoria finished 1-1. Fiston Mayele gave Pyramids the lead on 23 minutes. He profited from a Sundowns defensive error. Ahmed Samy doubled the advantage on 56 minutes. He scored with a header from a free-kick.
Sundowns pulled a goal back through Iqraam Rayners with 15 minutes remaining. One more goal would have given them victory in the tie on the away goals rule. However, Pyramids held firm despite heavy pressure from the visitors.
Pyramids are the fourth Egyptian side to lift the Champions League trophy after record 12-time winners Al Ahly, Zamalek, and Ismaily. Meanwhile, 2016 champions Sundowns head to this month’s Club World Cup in the United States on a low note.
-Reuters
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- 1. Pyramids aim to become the first new CAF Champions League winner since Sundowns (2016), the 13th in the modern era, and the 27th overall.
- 2. This is the 19th Champions League-era final featuring an Egyptian club. Previous teams (Al Ahly 10, Zamalek 1) have won 11 titles.
- 3. Including the pre-Champions League era, this is the 29th final for an Egyptian club, with 18 wins and 10 losses.
- 4. Pyramids have played only 1 of their last 9 matches at home but are unbeaten in their last 23 home games this season (W19 D4) and last 28 overall (W24 D4).
- 5. Pyramids scored in 22 of 23 home games this season; the only blank was a 0-0 draw vs Al Masry.
- 6.This season, they’ve won all 7 home matches, scoring 26 and conceding 6, with one clean sheet. In total, they’ve lost just 1 of 11 home matches in the competition.
- 7. Fiston Mayele leads with 8 goals in 12 matches (5 since group stage); Ibrahim Adel has 6 (also 5 post-group stage).
- 8. Ramadan Sobhi has 5 assists in 9 games (joint-most), plus 2 goals. He’s had major impact off the bench twice.
- 9. Askary Chibi has created 20 chances since the group stage — the most for Pyramids.
- 10. Pyramids have kept 3 clean sheets this season, all away, but remain dominant at home
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- 1. Sundowns are in their third CAF Champions League final (2001, 2016, 2024).
- 2. South African Record: First South African club to reach three finals, surpassing Orlando Pirates (2).
- 3. Sundowns hosted the first leg in all three finals. In 2001, they drew 1-1 at home and lost 2-0 away to Al Ahly.
- 4. Sundowns beat Zamalek 3-0 at home, lost 1-0 away, and won 3-1 on aggregate.
- 5. Sundowns have never scored in an away leg of a Champions League final, conceding five in total.
- 6. The current final marks the second time Sundowns led at home and failed to win (also in 2001).
- 7. A defeat would make Sundowns the first South African side to lose two finals.
- 8. Sundowns are unbeaten in their last 10 matches vs Egyptian opposition (4wins and 6 draws).
- 9. Sundowns are unbeaten in their last 4 visits to Egypt (2 wins and 2 draws).
- 10. A win would make Sundowns the first team since Al Ahly (2012) to win the title after failing to win the home leg.
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