The Bucs are indeed the best team in the 2024-25 CAF Champions League after remaining unbeaten throughout the group stage to the first leg of the quarter-finals.
Jose Riveiro’s side in the group stage won in Algeria against Belouizdad and won in Egypt against defending champions Al Ahly. These results were beyond belief because beating North African sides is the most difficult job on the continent, especially in their own backyard.
Orlando Pirates have been looking extremely dangerous, well organised and determined to go all the way. In the first leg of the quarter-finals in Algeria, MC Alger lost 1-0 to a very tactically good side in Orlando Pirates.
20-year-old Mohau Nkota scored the only goal in the second half in the 64th minute. MC Alger had 21 shot attempts on goal with five on target but failed to beat the impressive Sipho Chaine.
Orlando Pirates have the advantage going into the second leg next week. For a team to win three games in the same season in North Africa is no joke.
In the other games, Pyramids thrashed FAR Rabat 4-1 in Cairo. The Egyptians looked so great right from the peep peep of the referee. Fiston Mayele’s early brace put Pyramids in a 2-0 lead. Adel made it 3-0 in the 38th minute. Hadraf pulled one back for the Moroccans on the stroke of halftime, with the Egyptians leading 3-1 at halftime.
Ibrahim Adel scored his second on the night in the 67th minute to make it 4-1. It was a disastrous night for the Moroccans as their chances of progressing were 5% heading into the second half.
Mohammed Hany’s early goal was enough for Al Ahly to record a 1-0 win over Sudanese side Al-Hilal Oumdurman in Cairo. Florent Ibenge’s side will rue the opportunity to not play the game in Sudan because of the war back home. The second leg will be played in Mauritania making it a good one for A Ahly.
Peter Shalulile’s second-half goal helped Sundowns record a slim 1-0 win against Esperance in Pretoria.
