CAFCC: Pirates, Berkane, TP Mazembe, Al Ahli Tripoli seal semi slots

South African giants Orlando Pirates confirmed their place in the semifinals of the 2021/2022 continental CAF Confederation Cup after they emerged victorious on home soil to knock out Tanzanian side Simba SC in the quarter-final stage.

The Soweto giants will be joined by Moroccan heavyweights RS Berkane, who also managed to overturn a deficit in pulling through, and DR Congo’s TP Mazembe and Libya’s Al Ahli Tripoli. Here’s is a wrap of how the four teams faired.

Orlando Pirates 1 (4)-(3) 0 Simba SC

Ghanaian goalkeeper Richard Ofori saved one penalty and scored the winner as the South African giants defeated Simba 4-3 on post-match penalties to storm into the semi-final of the CAF Confederation Cup.

The game had to be decided on spot kicks after Pirates won the return leg of the quarter final duel 1-0 at the Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg to tie the aggregate score at 1-1 courtesy of another Ghanaian, Kwame Peprah scoring on the hour mark.

A week ago, Wekundu wa Msimbazi had secured a 1-0 advantage as they won the first leg in Dar es Salaam. However, the Tanzanians, who played the remaining half hour with ten men following Chris Mugalu’s straight red card for a studs up challenge, could not cope with the Buccanneers who turned around the tie to book their ticket to the last four.

RS Berkane 1-0 Al Masry

Moroccan side RS Berkane got the benefit of the away goal rule as they booked their place in the semis of the tourney following their 2-2 aggregate score against Egypt’s Al Masry.

Trailing 2-1 from the first leg last weekend, Berkane, winners of the tournament in the 2019-20 season, picked a 1-0 win in the second leg courtesy of a Youssef El Fahli penalty in the 7th minute that eventually proved to be enough to see the team through.

TP Mazembe 2-0 Pyramids

After a barren stalemate in the first leg, Democratic Republic of Congo representatives TP Mazembe, who are winners of the Confederation Cup in 2016 and 2017, ensured their hunt for a third title remains on course as they defeated Egyptian side 2-0 at home to advance to the semifinals.

Koffi Kouame overcame a penalty miss in the 15th minute as he gave Mazembe the lead in the 33rd minute with Bola Kitambala securing the tie with the second goal in the 44th minute.

Al Ahli Tripoli 1-0 Al Ittihad

Al Ahli Tripoli edged out Al Ittihad by a solitary goal in a closely contested Libyan derby on Sunday to progress to the semi-final of the Confederation Cup.

Tunisian midfielder Ayoub Ayed scored in the 19th minute to hand Ahli the victory and book them a slot in the semis with a date against South Africa’s Orlando Pirates waiting.

RS Berkane will face TP Mazembe in the second semifinal.

The first leg of the semifinals will be played on 8 May while the return legs take place a week later on 15 May 2022.

CAFCL: Record champions Al Ahly, ES Setif, Petro Athletico and Wydad seal last four places

Semi-Finals

Al Ahli Tripoli 🇱🇾 | 🇿🇦 Orlando Pirates

TP Mazembe 🇨🇩 | 🇲🇦 RS Berkane

1st Leg - May 8, 2022

2nd Leg - May 15, 2022