South Africa’s Orlando Pirates lost the chance to win their first-ever CAF Confederations Cup after playing a 1-1 draw with the Berkane in regulation plus extra time with goals from Youssef Alfahli (P, 97′) and a Pirates’ equaliser from Thembinkosi Lorch (117′)
Olisa Ndah shines for Orlando Pirates in CAF Confederations Cup final
Super Eagles defender Olisa Ndah marked his return to the Uyo International Stadium with a starting berth in the Orlando Pirates team in the showpiece match for Africa’s secondary club competition.
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Ndah partnered club captain Happy Jele in the centre of defence with the 24-year-old Nigerian defender being the most effective of the centre-backs on the night.
The former Akwa United defender produced an excellent display against RS Berkane, winning nine (9) of the 12 duels he contested both on the pitch and in the air.
Ndah also recorded four (4) clearances, two (2) interceptions, two (2) tackles, and one (1) blocked shot during his 120 minutes of football on Friday night.
The Pirates’ summer recruit completed one (1) dribble, was fouled once (1), and delivered nine (9) successful long balls all from his defensive role as a centre-back.
Orlando Pirates, RS Berkane play pulsating final in Uyo
The final match of the 2021/22 CAF Confederations Cup lived up to its potential with both sides taking turns to have a go at each other during the first 90 minutes.
Despite no goals being scored, both sides had a total of 15 shots cumulatively in regulation time with five (5) of those on target.
After an interesting but goalless 90 minutes, RS Berkane took matters into their own ends in the extra time, breaking the deadlock with a well-taken penalty from Alfahli.
The VAR in action for just the second time in a Nigerian stadium awarded a penalty in the 94th minute to Ismail Mokadem which Alfahli duly converted from the penalty spot.
With just three minutes to go in second half extra time, Lorch round a much-needed equaliser for the Pirates, sending the match into penalty shootouts.
Orlando Pirates and RS Berkane both converted their first penalty kicks but Lorch turned from hero to villain when he missed the Pirates’ second penalty.
That was how it stayed as both sides scored their remaining penalty kicks with substitute forward Brahim El Bahraoui slotting home the tenth penalty for RS Berkane to win the title.
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