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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South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns, who will compete in next year’s Club World Cup in the United States, named Portuguese Miguel Cardoso as their new manager on Tuesday after firing Manqoba Mngqithi.

It is the second coaching change in six months for the Pretoria club, owned by the family of Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe.

Cardoso, 52, is a former coach at Rio Ave in Portugal, Nantes in France, La Liga outfit Celta Vigo and AEK Athens.

Last season he took the Tunisian club Esperance to the African Champions League final but was fired in October after a poor start to the new season.

Mngqithi’s departure follows Sundowns drawing their opening two matches of the group phase of this season’s Champions League and a shock loss in last month’s South African League Cup final.

He had taken over in July from Rulani Mokwena, who was sacked despite winning the league by a record 23-point margin.

At the Club World Cup next June, Sundowns are in Group F with Borussia Dortmund, Fluminense and South Korean club Ulsan HD.

-Reuters

The Orlando Stadium was at full capacity as Orlando Pirates and Al Ahly played out a goalless draw in a tense Group C clash on Saturday in the second group stage match of the  CAF Champions League.

Both teams remain unbeaten, with four points each after two matches, setting up a fiercely competitive group as the competition progresses.

Despite the lack of goals, the nearly 40,000 fans at the game were entertained in the match that was a showcase of defensive discipline and missed opportunities.

Al Ahly, carrying a 16-match unbeaten away streak into the encounter, came close to breaking the deadlock in the dying minutes when Yahya Attiat Allah’s long-range strike forced a fine save from Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine.

Pirates, determined to make their home advantage count, started brightly, with Monnapule Saleng’s energy and creativity posing problems for Al Ahly’s defence.

Saleng came close with a left-footed effort in the 42nd minute, but his shot drifted just wide of the post.

The second half saw Al Ahly increase their attacking intent, with Percy Tau and Hussein El Shahat making impactful substitutions.

Shahat’s curling effort from inside the box in the 84th minute required another sharp save from Chaine.

Pirates had a golden opportunity to snatch a late winner in stoppage time, but Thabiso Sesane’s header sailed narrowly wide after a pinpoint cross from Kabelo Dlamini.

The result leaves both sides tied on four points, with Pirates occupying second place due to goal difference.

Al Ahly, sitting atop the group, will feel slightly more confident heading into their next match.

Meanwhile, attention now turns to the other Group C fixture between Stade d’Abidjan and CR Belouizdad later on Saturday.

Both sides are yet to register points, and the outcome could significantly influence the group’s dynamics.

With two matches down and four to go, Group C promises to deliver more drama as Orlando Pirates and Al Ahly maintain their push for knockout stage qualification.