Orlando Pirates clinched top spot in Group C following a 2-1 win over Al Ahly in CAF Champions League action on Saturday night.
Thabiso Lebitso, Paseka Mako and Evidence Makgopa were recalled to the Buccaneers line-up, while Mostafa Shobeir replaced Mohamed El Shenawy in goal for the host.
The defending champions could’ve gone ahead in the opening quarter with a header from Yasser Ibrahim, but he misguided his attempt well off the mark and allowed the visitors to clear their lines.
More danger came for the Buccaneers a little later through a diving header at the back-post from Marwan Attia off a cross-field delivery, but Sipho Chaine smothered him.
Pirates remained composed though despite the spell of pressure where a pass to the far side released Deon Hotto on the byline, but the Namibian snapped the chance.
The Buccaneers raced ahead minutes in the second half where Thalente Mbatha picked out Mofokeng in the box and after a defensive mix-up, the Pirates youngster slotted home from close range.
Al Ahly were keen to an instant response and came close courtesy of Mohamed Magdy Afsha right in the centre of the box, but Chaine got down to parry him.
With the match opening up, the Buccaneers were urged into a substitution after Lebitso picked up a knock and was replaced by young Siyabonga Ndlozi.
The response did come in the final stages when Hussein El Shahat sprung the offside trap to get in-behind and dinked over the charging Chaine.
Pirates pulled back ahead over five minutes to go as substitute Tshegofatso Mabasa combined with a surging cross by Kabelo Dlamini to head in off the underside of the crossbar.
There was time for more drama in added time where Ahly looked to have levelled through a top-corner finish by Rami Rabia, but he was deemed offside as the Buccaneers secured victory.
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