CAF Champions League
Orlando Pirates win to seize Group C lead, Yanga fight back to victory in thriller
Orlando Pirates delivered a commanding performance to defeat Stade d’Abidjan 3-0 in their Group C clash of the CAF Champions League at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.
The result elevated the South African side to the top of the group standings with two matches remaining.
The hosts opened the scoring in the 22nd minute when Relebohile Mofokeng slotted a composed finish into the centre of the net after being set up by Mohau Nkota.
Pirates controlled the tempo throughout the first half, heading into the break with a 1-0 advantage.
The Buccaneers doubled their lead early in the second half through Patrick Maswanganyi, who found the bottom left corner after receiving another precise assist from Nkota.
With Stade d’Abidjan struggling to create clear opportunities, the Pirates maintained their momentum.
Deon Hotto sealed the victory in the 85th minute, scoring from close range to cap off a fast break.
The visitors rarely threatened Orlando Pirates’ defence, as the South African outfit secured their second win of the group stage.
The victory takes Orlando Pirates to eight points, one ahead of Al Ahly, who suffered a 1-0 defeat to Belouizdad on Friday.
Belouizdad sits in third place with six points, while Stade d’Abidjan remains bottom with a single point.
With two matches left in the group stage, Pirates are well-positioned for quarter-final qualification. They will next face Al Ahly in Cairo in what promises to be a high-stakes encounter.
Earlier on Saturday, Young Africans (Yanga) delivered a spirited comeback to defeat TP Mazembe 3-1 at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium keeping their TotalEnergies CAF Champions League hopes alive.
The victory sees the Tanzanian side move to third place in Group A with four points, while Mazembe sit bottom with just two points.
The visitors struck first in the 16th minute when Alioune Faty converted a penalty, awarded after Issaka Boka’s foul in the box.
TP Mazembe’s early dominance threatened to derail the home side, but Young Africans showed resilience to claw their way back.
Clement Mzize equalized in the 33rd minute with a sensational long-range effort, restoring belief among the home supporters. The
Tanzanian champions carried that momentum into the second half, taking control of the game.
Aziz Ki completed the turnaround in the 56th minute, finishing calmly after a swift counter-attack.
Moments later, Mzize struck again in the 60th minute, slotting home a well-timed pass from Prince Dube to seal the victory.
Despite Mazembe’s late efforts, including a thunderous free-kick from Jean Diouf that rattled the crossbar, they failed to find a way back.
Young Africans now trail group leaders Al-Hilal Omdurman by five points with two matches remaining, as they stay in the race for quarter-final qualification.
Mazembe face a battle to keep their quarter-final hopes alive as they have an uphill task of advancing to the knockout stages of the competition.
-CAF
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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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