Pirates sink Leopards in Congo

Orlando Pirates beat AC Leopards 1-0 at the Denis Sassou Nguesso Stadium in Dolisie on Saturday. Happy Jele’s second-half strike helped the Soweto giants to all three points in their Caf Confederations Cup Group B opener. A capacity crowd and poor playing conditions welcomed Pirates, but that was something Eric Tinkler’s men have come to expect in their ventures on the African continent in the past two years. It was the hosts who started the game on the front foot with Brighton Mhlongo forced into a smart save to deny Jean-Patrick Abouna the opener with 15 minutes on the clock. Pirates, though, were quick to adapt to their surroundings with Lennox Bacela testing the Leopards gloves man four minutes later. The heavily bandaged striker did well to lose his marker, but his resulting effort lacked power. The hosts continued to press forward in search of the opening goal with Tychique Kalema sending his curling effort wide after his initial shot from a free-kick cannoned off the Pirates wall. Mhlongo was the busier of the two goalkeepers and the Buccaneers No 1 did well to tip a rasping effort over the crossbar on the cusp of halftime to send the two teams into the tunnel deadlocked at 0-0. Pirates were more attack-minded after the break and were rewarded in the 59th minute. Happy Jele capatilised on poor defending by Leopards - striking his right-footed effort past the Leopards keeper from close range. The goal set the Congolese giants in motion, but Pirates defended well while looking to hit Leopards on the counter. Kalema had a chance to level matters in second-half stoppage time, but Issa Sarr was well positioned to deflect the midfielders powerful effort wide of goal. The Beasts from Niari next face three-time champions CS Sfaxien while Pirates will welcome Egyptian giants Zamalek at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on July 11. DOLISIE SUPERSPORT