Orlando Pirates 1-1 (4-5 pen.) RB Berkane: Moroccan giants win second Caf Confederation Cup title in Nigeria as Lorch misses kick despite leveler
RB Berkane have lifted their second Caf Confederation Cup title in history after beating Orlando Pirates on Friday night in Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Akwa Ibom.
Youssef El Fahli’s extra-time penalty kick to the right net seemed to be the separator between the Morocco and South African giants but Lorch equalized to send the game to penalties. The Moroccan side won 5-4 in the shootout in Nigeria.
Berkane entered into today’s game as their third Caf Confederation Cup final in the last four finals after first ended in loss to Zamalek in 2019, won the second in 2020 and have won 2022 title against Orlando Pirates.
Pirates dominated the game through to extra-time but Hotto and Lorch failed convert the several chances in their way within 90′ minutes. RB Berkane have their goal-keeper Hamza Hamiani Akbi to thank who stood against Pirates first Caf Confederation Cup title. The shot-stopper clearly denied Hotto goal-scoring opportunities in each half of the game before extra-time.
Berkane managed to turn the heat on Orlando Pirates mid-way in the second half but struggled to open the compact Bucs’ defense. Pirates nearly broke the deadlock after Hotto’s header into the net was cleared off the lines before another attack from the left winger with his run into the box was well defended by Berkane.
Hotto intended to pass back for the connection but Berkane central defense cleared the danger when it was 8′ minutes to full time. The Premier Soccer League side were marvelous in possession but appears wasteful in front of goal.
Both teams rest their hopes on extra-time to know their fate. It was a moment of turn-around for Berkane who piled early pressure on Orlando Pirates in the final 30′ minutes. Berkane made penalty appeal after Thabang Monare appears to have fouled Ismail Mokadem from the corner. The Moroccans saw their appealed yielded into a penalty after a VAR review with which Youssef El Fahli send Richard Ofori the wrong way for the opener.
Orlando Pirates nearly leveled in first half stoppage time after Happy Jele beat Abdelkrim Baadi to a header from a corner but the effort missed the right posts by small margin.
Three minutes to full time, Lorch drew level but Berkane kept their lead to win 5-4 on penalties. Unfortunately, the leveler Lorch was the only one who missed target for Pirates after Jele, Masaba, Monare and Ofori converting their kicks.
At the receiving end, Mousssaoui, Zghoudi, Mokadem, Dayo and Bahraoui scored for RB Berkane.
RB Berkane’s victory hands them their second Caf Confederation Cup title having won the first in 2020 final after beating Egyptian side Pyramids 1-0.
