CAF Confederation Cup
Result: CS Sfaxien 0-1 Orlando Pirates
Date: 26 July 2015
Venue: Stade Taïeb Mhiri
Thabo Rakhale scored the only goal of the game to hand Orlando Pirates a 1-0 win over CS Sfaxien in their CAF Confederation Cup Group B clash.
Pirates created the first meaningful opening in the 13th minute, as Sifiso Myeni played in Lehlohonolo Majoro, however the striker failed to beat the on-rushing Rami Jeridi from close range.
The visitors could have went ahead in the 15th minute when Thabo Matlaba skipped past two Sfaxien players, but the defender fired horribly wide from 12-yards out.
Pirates goalkeeper, Brighton Mhlongo, was called upon in the 26th minute, as he got down well to keep out Derbali Zied's stinging effort from the edge of the area.
Eric Tinkler's men went close two minutes later when Majoro latched onto a lobbed pass, before firing a volley just over the crossbar.
The Buccaneers were unlucky not be awarded a penalty in the 38th minute when Myeni was brought down from behind by Ajdi Saidani in the six-yard area.
The home side, meanwhile, saw most of the ball in the opening 45 minutes, however Pirates restricted Sfaxien to a few long range efforts from distance.
Pirates broke the deadlock shortly after the break, as Rakhale did well to disposes the Sfaxien defender, before lobbing Jeridi from the edge of the box.
Tinkler's side were dealt a blow in the 70th minute, as Matlaba picked up a suspected hamstring injury and had to be replaced by Patrick Phungwayo.
Mhlongo was called upon to deny Wajdi Saidani with a fine reflex save in the 80th minute, before Zied Derbali blazed the rebound well over the mark.
Jeridi did well to denu Rakhale late on, before Kermit Erasmus struck the upright, however the Buccaneers managed to see off a late surge from the host to collect three points.
In the other Group B fixture, Zamalek secured a 2-0 win over Leopards to move top of the group.
Here's how they lined up:
CS Sfaxien: Rami Jeridi, Ali Maaloul, Wajdi Saidani, Selim Benjemia, Zied Derbali, Yassine Meriah, Med Ali Moncer, Houssem Louati, Maher Hanachi, Ghazi Chalouf, Selim Mezlini
Orlando Pirates: Mhlongo, Sangweni, Jele, Nyauza, Matlaba, Sarr, Manyisa, Rakhale, Myeni, Gabuza, Majoro
