CAF Champions League: Al-Ittihad edge Pirates in five-goal thriller

Al-Ittihad overcame Orlando Pirates 3-2 in a CAF Confederation Cup group B match at the Benina Martyrs Stadium in Libya on Sunday evening.

The win saw the Libyan champions start their group stage campaign with a win, while the Buccaneers tasted their maiden defeat, but they are level on points with Al-Ittihad, having defeated Algeria’s JS Saoura in their first game.

The Teha launched attacks from the whistle and they managed to open the scoring through Sanad Al Warfali, who found the back of the net from a free-kick – handing Al-Ittihad a 1-0 lead in the 14th minute.

The Buccaneers then fought back and they managed to level matters in the 26th minute through the in-form Bandile Shandu, as the right-back netted with a powerful shot – his second goal in three matches to make it 1-1.

However, Pirates went to sleep at the back and they conceded again when Muad Eisay hit the back of the net with a curling shot from outside the visitors’ box to make it 2-1 to Al-Ittihad two minutes before the half-hour mark.

The goal did not deter Bucs, who surged forward and they equalised for the second time. A cross from Thembinkosi Lorch was not cleared by the hosts and Shandu scored from close range in first-half stoppage time and the score was 2-2 at halftime.

Another entertaining half followed with the Teha restoring their lead just eight minutes into the second half. Omar Al Khouja was afforded space and time to pull the trigger from distance and he beat goalkeeper Siyaboga Mpontshane to make it 3-2 to Al-Ittihad.

Pirates co-coaches Mandla Ncikazi and Fadlu Davids responded by introducing Frank Mhango, who was making his first appearance for the Soweto giants since December last year and the visitors pushed for another equalising goal.

However, the Teha were happy to sit back and allow the Buccaneers to dominate possession as they searched for a late equalising goal. Al-Ittihad were able to contain Pirates in the dying minutes of the game and ultimately, the hosts ran out 3-2 winners.

Source: supersport.com