CAF Confederation Cup Match Report: Orlando Pirates 2-0 AC Leopards 22 August 2015
Orlando Pirates
CAF Confederation Cup Result: Orlando Pirates 2-0 AC Leopards Date: 22 August 2015 Venue: Orlando Stadium Orlando Pirates secured a spot in the CAF Confederation Cup semi-finals after beating AC Leopards 2-0 on Saturday evening. The visitors looked lively in the opening stages and nearly went ahead in the eighth minute but Cesair Gandze's volley deflected just over the crossbar. Felipe Ovono came to Pirates' rescue in the 17th minute as did well to deny Gandze in a one-on-one situation, after some poor defending by Pirates. Eric Tinkler's men went head with their first effort on target in the 33rd minute, as Kermit Erasmus picked out Mpho Makola, who buried the ball into the bottom corner. The visitors certainly had most of the ball in the first half, although they struggled to bypass the Pirates defence, while the final ball was not up to par. Tinkler's men were quiet happy to sit back and defend, while hoping to catch Leopards on the counter, which they did for the opening goal. Thamsanqa Gabuza was presented with a chance to double Pirates' lead shortly after the break, but the striker somehow headed wide of the mark from six-yards out. Erasmus nearly got his name on the score-sheet in the 60th minute but his volley sailed just wide of the upright, after being picked out by Happy Jele. The visitors were presented with a chance to level matters in the 65th minute but Seda Ngouelou blazed over from inside the area. Ngoe came to Leopards' rescue in the 71st minute, as the shot-stopper pulled off two good saves to deny Gabuza and Sifiso Myeni in quick succession. The Buccaneers sealed the win in the 86th minute when Oupa Manyisa slid the ball home at the far post, after some good work by Lehlohonolo Majoro down the left flank. The win sees the Buccaneers top Group B, while Zamalek will do battle with CS Sfaxien on Sunday. Here's how they lined up: Orlando Pirates: Ovono, Jele, Sangweni, Gcaba, Mahamutsa, Sarr, Manyisa, Makola, Myeni, Gabuza, Erasmus AC Leopards: 30 Ngoe, 2 Ndzana, 5 Ngounga, 25 Auzingoini, 6 Bissiki, 10 Kalema, 19 Madila, 8 Ndougsa, 27 Ngouelou, 12 Gandze, 20 Babanda
