Pyramids FC of Egypt and Orlando Pirates of South Africa both picked crucial three points at home, winning their opening group matches of the 2021-22 CAF Confederation Cup.
Pirates were 2-0 winners over Algeria’s JS Saoura while Egyptian side Pyramids, losing finallists of the 2019-20 season, came from behind to beat Libya’s Al-Ahli Tripoli 2-1 in Cairo.
In Cairo, Pyramids continued the journey towards another continental final with a come from behind victory over the hard fighting Al-Ahli Tripoli at Air Defence Stadium.
Mohamed Al-Tubal broke the deadlock for the Libyans in the 21st minute, finishing off a pass from Mohamed el-Mounir after the Pyramids backline went to sleep.
In the second half though, the home side would awake from their slumber with Walid el-Karti starring with a goal and an assist.
The veteran forward set up Islam Isa for the equalizer in the 56th minute as the Egyptians got back into the game.
They continued to pound and were denied twice by the post, first from El Karti and secondly from Fagry Lakay.
They fought to get the winner and they did so 12 minutes to time, this time El-Karti getting on the scoresheet with a fine finish off Ibrahim Adel’s pass.
In Johannesburg, Pirates who reached the quarter finals of last season’s tournament sought to start the match well and get their groove going to be able to get off the groups for a second consecutive season.
They got into the lead in the third minute when skipper Happy Jele pounced inside the box after the Saoura keeper spilled Thembinkosi Lorch’s shot.
Despite going down, the Algerians pushed the Bucaneers and they were denied by a brilliant save from the keeper later on. The shot stopper leaped to his left to pluck away a well measured shot from Belaid Hamidi.
In the second half, Pirates sought to command the game more and they doubled their lead in the 66th minute when defender Bandile Shandu ran in at the blind side of the defense to tap home a well weighted cross from Dean Hotto.
Pirates were more comfortable and managed the tempo of the game to their rhythm to guard the three points and move top of Group D.
Cotonsport and Al-Masry draw
Tanzanian champions Simba SC started their CAF Confederation Cup Campaign in the best possible way after thrashing Ivorian side ASEC Mimosas 3-1 at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
In Garoua, home side Cotonsport played to a barren draw with Egyptian side Al-Masry of Port Said. The Cameroonian side will only have themselves to blame for failing to use their chances despite attacking more.
Goals from Pape Sakho, Shomari Kapombe and Peter Banda handed Wekundu Wa Msimbazi the healthy victory with ASEC’s consolation scored by Stephane Aziz Ki.
Sakho opened the scoring for the home side in the 12th minute when he finished off superbly from a Kapombe cross on the right with a brilliant acrobatic strike.
Simba were added confidence by the goal and attacked more, but were clumsy infront of goal and didn’t make most of the opportunities they got.
Simba were made to pay for the missed chances in the second half by the Ivorians when Aziz Ki made the most of a defensive mix up to level matters for the visitors on the hour mark.
But, the home side was awakened by the equalizer and pushed by the home crowd, put in more in attack. They were handed a way back into the match in the 79th minute from the penalty spot, Kapombe expertly tucking away the spot kick.
The cemented the win two minutes later when Malawian international Banda finished off a cross from skipper John Bocco.
Elsewhere, TP Mazembe took a precious 1-0 win at home against AS Otoho d’Oyo to kick start their Group C campaign on a high.
Richard Njoh scored the lone goal for Mazembe in the 37th minute, a lead which they guarded till the final whistle.
