CAF Confederation Cup
Result: Orlando Pirates 1-0 Al Ahly
Date: 26 September 2015
Venue: Orlando Stadium
Thamsanqa Gabuza's first half strike was enough to earn Orlando Pirates a 1-0 win over Al Ahly in their CAF Confederation Cup semi-final first leg tie.
The home side broke the deadlock in the eighth minute when Thamsanqa Gabuza turned home Kermit Erasmus' cross at the near post.
Mpho Makola nearly doubled the Buccaneers' lead in the 18th minute but his curling free-kick forced Ekrami into fine finger-tip save.
Felipe Ovono had to be at his best in the 30th minute when he turned a stinging effort onto the upright, before Ntsikelelo got back in time to clear.
However, despite being a goal down, Al Ahly continued to dominate for most of the opening 45 minutes, although they struggled with their final ball.
Eric Tinkler's men looked content to sit back and let the visitors enjoyed most of the possession with the hope of catching them on the counter.
The Buccaneers nearly doubled their advantage in the 53rd minute when Erasmus teed up Thabo Matlaba, who volleyed over the crossbar from the edge of the area.
Al Ahly continued to dictate play in the second half, which forced Tinkler to change his team, as he introduced Issa Sarr in the 65th minute.
The Buccaneers spent most of the second stanza sitting back, while they let the visitors dictate play, Tinkler also added Lehlohonolo Majoro to mix in the final 20 minutes.
The Egyptian pushed for the equalising goal in the closing stages, pushing everyone forward, as Pirates had all 11 men back defending.
However, the likes of Ayanda Gcaba and Rooi Mahamutsa proved to be stalwarts for the Buccaneers and ensured they kept a clean sheet and secured a first leg win.
Here's how they started:
Orlando Pirates: Ovono, Mahamutsa, Gcaba, Nyauza, Matlaba, Masalesa, Ntshumayelo, Makola, Myeni, Gabuza, Erasmus
Al Ahly: Ekrami, Hani, Samir, Naguib, Rahil, Fathi, Ashour, El-Said, Zakareya, Sobhi, Antwi
