Orlando Pirates sealed a first CAF Champions League knockout round place for 12 years as they defeated Algerian side CR Belouizdad 2-1 at the Orlando Stadium on Sunday to ensure a top two finish in their pool.

They head to Al Ahly for a final pool game on Saturday that will determine who finishes top of the group, but can go there without pressure having completed their mandate with a game to spare.

A first half goal from Relebohile Mofokeng and a second half stunner by Thalente Mbatha handed Pirates victory, much to the delight of coach Jose Riveiro.

“Congratulations to the players, as I said at the start of this competition we are a young team, very young, inexperienced in the competition, starting from the coach. These guys are doing a fantastic job,” Riveiro said.

“Thanks to the fans for the support because we really need them in every game, especially for this one, I’m so happy for them.

“We want to play a game with our style, with our philosophy. We are going to Cairo (to play Al Ahly) to try to be ourselves and to perform like this, at this level.

“We know the difficulty of the task one more time, but we are ready to go.”
Pirates have not been in the knockout rounds of the Champions League since they lost to Ahly in the 2013 final.