ICYMI: CAF Confederations Cup Semi-Finals Pirates Face Al Ahly

Zamalek finished top of Group B after humilating Orlando Pirates 4-1 at the Petro Sport Stadium in Cairo on Sunday night. Zamalek and Orlando Pirates were both hoping to finish at the summit of Group B log and avoid Al Ahly in the semi-finals of the 2015 Caf Confederation Cup,however for Orlando pirates things didn’t go their way.

The first shot on target came from  Pirates in as early as the third minute when Sifiso Myeni tried his luck from close range, only for his attempt to be saved by Zamalek goalkeeper Basem Gennesh.

Eight minutes later, Zamalek midfielder Ahmed Ibrahim beat three Pirates defenders inside the box, before hitting the upright with a curling effort – Felipe Ovono Ovono had no chance as h was saved by the upright.

Zamalek broke the deadlock soon afterwards when Zamalek midfielder Ahmed Tawfik hit  shot  past Ovono after Pirates’ failure to clear the danger inside their own box.

Zamalek were all over Bucs in search of a second. Soliman went through on goal in the 22nd minute, but the Egyptian attacker decided to pick a pass when he should have taken a shot.

Orlando Pirates managed to get ana equaliser courtesy of Oupa Manyisa in the 33rd minute with an assist from Pirates striker Thamsanqa Gabuza.

Five minutes later Zamalek were upfront again.Ibrahim ran onto a back heel pass from Tawfik and scored with a powerful low shot.

Myeni’s strike from an out-of-the-box free-kick was well saved by keeper Gennesh three minutes before the halftime.

Five minutes into the second stanza, Zamalek striker Hassan Mekky tried his luck from range, but his effort sailed over the crossbar, with Ovono untroubled.

Zamalek substitute Moustafa Fathi increased his side’s lead in the 61st minute with his first touch after running onto Soliman’s low cross from the left hand side. 3-1 to Zamalek.

Six minutes later, Soliman made it 4-1 after bursting into the box from the left hand, before beating Ovono with a low drive.

Bucs keeper Ovono was kept busy by the Zamalek attackers, and he was forced to make two great saves within two minutes, denying Soliman and Fathi in the 76th minute and 77th minute respectively.

Pirates hopes of coming back from behind and win the match were crushed by M. Fathi’s goal, Zamalek recorded a 4-1 victory on the night to win Group B with 15 points from six matches.

Pirates will face Group A winners and Egyptian side Al Ahly in the semi-finals, while Zamalek play Group A second position Etoile Sahel.