Orlando Pirates eye date with Pitso Mosimane’s Al Ahly in Super Cup

It’s been 26 years since Orlando Pirates last tasted Confederation of African Football (CAF) success, but a favourable CAF Confederation Cup draw has given the Soweto giants an excellent chance of ending that drought this month.

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The Buccaneers dodged the ‘big guns’ in the quarter-finals, and face Libya’s Al Ahly Tripoli in a semi-final first leg on Sunday, 8 May believing they can overcome their north African opponents on aggregate.

While Al Ahly Tripoli are unlikely to be pushovers, they appear far less formidable than TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo or Renaissance Berkane of Morocco, both former title-holders who clash in the other semi-final.

The winner of the tournament will take home $1.25 million (R20 million) in prize money which would certainly go a long way towards helping Orlando Pirates buy some key players in the upcoming transfer window.

In addition, the winner will face the CAF Champions League winners (possibly Pitso Mosimane’s Al Ahly) in the Super Cup where even more money is up for grabs!

The rich just keep on getting richer!

Al Ahly have a tough road to the final

Al Ahly will take on Algeria’s Entente Setif in their CAF Champions League first leg clash at home on Saturday, 7 May (21:00), before travelling to Algiers for the second leg on Saturday, 14 May, also at 21:00 (SA time).

Should Mosimane’s men prevail over the two legs, they will take on the winner of the other semi-final – Petro Luanda of Angola or Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca – in the final.

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CAF Confederation Cup semi-finals fixtures (all kick-off times SA):

First legs

Sunday, 8 May

In Lubumbashi, DR Congo

TP Mazembe (COD) v Renaissance Berkane (MAR) – 15:00

In Benghazi, Libya

Al Ahly Tripoli (LBA) v Orlando Pirates (RSA) – 18:00

Second legs

Sunday, 15 May

In Soweto, South Africa

Orlando Pirates v Al Ahly Tripoli – 18:00

In Berkane, Morocco

Renaissance Berkane v TP Mazembe – 22:00

Notes

– Away goals count double should clubs finish level on aggregate after home and away matches

– If teams are still level after 180 minutes, having factored in any away goals, a penalty shootout will decide the winners

– Winners qualify for single-match final with the date and venue to be announced

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