CAF Confederations Cup Match Report: Orlando Pirates Thrashes Royal Leopards, Quarterfinals Beckon

• Orlando Pirates took another step towards sealing qualification to the quarterfinals of the CAF Confederations Cup
• The Buccaneers made light work of Swazi opponents Royal Leopards in a 3-0 win at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg
• Depending on other results this evening, Pirates could also automatically qualify for the last eight of the competition

Orlando Pirates thrashed a hapless Royal Leopards side 3-0 in a Caf Confederation Cup group B encounter at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto on Sunday evening.

The Buccaneers climbed to the top of the group standings - two points clear of second-placed Al-Ittihad of Libya, who have a game in hand, while Eswatini's Leopards remained fourth on the table without a single point.

As reported on Supersport.com, Ingwe Mabalabala started the match brightly and they forced the Buccaneers into conceding several corner-kicks. Mzwandile Mabelesa's headed effort from one of the corner-kicks narrowly missed goalkeeper Richard Ofori's right upright.

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Rugby

Pirates launched most of their attacks in the left flank through Paseka Mako and Deon Hotto. Mako delivered a quality cross for Fortune Makaringe, whose effort was brilliantly saved by keeper Ncamiso Dlamini as the hosts pushed for the opening goal.

The Buccaneers dominated possession, but they found it difficult to penetrate Ingwe Mabalabala's tight defence which was marshalled by Mabelesa with the halftime break approaching. The score was 0-0 at the interval.

Pirates upped the tempo after the restart and they grabbed two goals within the first 11 minutes of the second half. Makaringe marked his return to the starting lineup with a stunning long-range effort from the touchline - beating keeper Ncamiso Dlamini hands down to make it 1-0 to Pirates in the 48th minute

The goal unsettled Leopards' defence and the visitors conceded again in the 56th minute. Goodman Mosele's superb back-heel pass sent Kabelo Dlamini through on goal and the left-footed playmaker fired past Ncamiso Dlamini to make it 2-0 to Pirates.

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Boxing

Dlamini then provided the assist when Terrence Dzvukamanja extended Pirates' lead to 3-0 with 30 minutes left on the clock. The Zimbabwe international headed home Kabelo Dlamini's corner-kick to seal Pirates' emphatic 3-0 victory over Leopards on the night.

CAF Champions League match report: ES Setif pumps the brakes on Amazulu's quarterfinal aspirations

As reported by Sports Brief, Amazulu fumbled the opportunity to top group B of the CAF Champions League with a 2-0 loss away to Algerian side ES Setif.

Taking place at the Stade du 5 Juillet 1962 in Algiers, the result was settled by two first half strikes from Riad Benayad and Akram Djahnit. https://sportsbrief.com/football/amazulu/13144-caf-champions-league-match-report-es-setif-amazulu-fc/