CAF Confederation Cup Report: Orlando Pirates 2-1 Zamalek 11 July 2015

CAF Confederation Cup - Group B   Result: Orlando Pirates 1-2 Zamalek   Date: 11 July 2015   Venue: Mbombela Stadium   Zamalek came from behind to secure a 2-1 win over Orlando Pirates in their CAF Confederation Cup group B tie at the Mbombela Stadium.   The Buccaneers nearly opened the scoring in third minute but Thamsanqa Gabuza was denied by the upright from six-yards out.   The visitors then went close a few minutes later when Ahmed Samir rifled a long rang effort into the side-netting.   Zamalek certainly saw most of the ball in the first half, although they failed to utilise that and struggled to create openings.   Eric Tinkler's side, meanwhile, were quite content to just back and look to attack on the counter with the likes of Sifiso Myeni and Thabo Rakhale.   Myeni went close just before half-time after being set up by Kermit Erasmus, but his shot went wide of goal.   Pirates seemed to struggle for chances in the final third, and they were restricted to long range efforts, none of which troubled Ahmed El-Shennawy.   Bassem Morsi nearly gave the visitors the lead shortly after the halftime break, but he dragged his effort inches wide of the upright from a tight angle.   Pirates nearly broke the deadlock in the 58th minute when Erasmus floated a cross into the box but Issa Sarr could only head over from six-yards out.   Brighton Mhlongo was called upon in the 64th minute, as he pulled off a fine save to keep out Morsi's stinging effort from the edge of the area.   And it was the home side who broke the deadlock in the 69th minute, as Myeni played a well-weighted pass to Lehlohonolo Majoro, who clinically slotted past El-Shenawy.   However, Zamalek hit back a few minutes later as Yusuf Maroof collected a pass from Morsi, before rifling the ball into the roof of the net.   The visitors then went on to secure the three points in the 83rd minute when substitute Mostafa Fathi curled a wonderful effort past Mhlongo from a tight angle.   Pirates looked to have sealed a point in stoppage time but El-Shenawy pulled off a stunning save to keep out Majoro's goal-bound header.   Here's how they lined up:   Orlando Pirates: Mhlongo, Jele, Mahamutsa, Nyauza, Matlaba, Sarr. Manyisa, Rakhale, Myeni, Erasmus, Gabuza    Zamalek:  El-Shenawy, Tolba, Ali Gear, Kofi, Samir, Salah, Tawfik, Maarouf, Eid, Hefny, Morsi