CAF Champions League Quarter-Finals: Pirates, Al Ahly, Pyramids, and Sundowns Secure Crucial First-Leg wins
The CAF Champions League quarter-finals kicked off with a series of intense matches on Tuesday night, as four teams fought for crucial advantages in their first-leg encounters. Orlando Pirates, Al Ahly, Pyramids FC, and Mamelodi Sundowns all showcased their skills, setting the stage for dramatic return legs.
Orlando Pirates Edge MC Alger
Orlando Pirates secured a vital 1-0 away victory against MC Alger at the Stade 5 Juillet 1962. Substitute Mohau Nkota came off the bench to score the decisive goal in the 65th minute, finishing left-footed after a slick counter-attack initiated by Relebohile Mofokeng. Despite MC Alger dominating large portions of the match and creating several chances, they were thwarted by a stellar performance from Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine, who made critical saves throughout the game. The South African side now heads to Johannesburg with a slender lead, looking to advance to the semi-finals for the first time since 2013.
Al Ahly Claims Narrow Win Over Al Hilal
In Cairo, record champions Al Ahly managed a narrow 1-0 victory over Sudan’s Al Hilal. Right-back Mohamed Hany scored the only goal of the match in the 11th minute, showcasing his composure with a left-footed finish. Al Ahly dominated possession but struggled to convert their chances, as Al Hilal defended resolutely. The Sudanese side had opportunities to equalize but could not capitalize, leaving Al Ahly with a slim advantage heading into the return leg in Omdurman.
Pyramids FC Takes Commanding Lead
Pyramids FC delivered a stunning performance with a 4-1 victory over FAR Rabat in their first leg at the 30 June Air Defence Stadium. The Egyptian side raced to a 3-0 lead within the first 40 minutes, thanks to goals from Congolese striker Fiston Mayele and winger Ibrahim Adel, who both enjoyed outstanding matches. FAR Rabat managed to pull one back just before halftime, but Pyramids responded swiftly, with Adel scoring his second goal in the 67th minute. The commanding win puts Pyramids in a strong position as they head to Morocco for the second leg.
Sundowns Secure Narrow Advantage Against Esperance
Mamelodi Sundowns earned a crucial 1-0 win over Esperance de Tunis at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, with Peter Shalulile scoring the vital goal in the 54th minute. The match was tightly contested, with both teams creating chances but ultimately Sundowns’ disciplined defense prevailed. Sundowns will take their slender lead into the return leg in Tunis, where a draw will be enough for them to advance to the semi-finals.
