”Happy, but not altogether happy,” was how one of the Orlando Pirates’ supporters, who are dubbed the ”Happy People”, reflected the general mood at Ellis Park on Saturday afternoon after the Buccaneers had beaten Sudan’s AlHilal 2-0 in a first-leg, third-round CAF Champions League game.
The reservations in the relatively small but boisterous crowd, it seemed, were due to the fact that Pirates jumped into a 2-0 lead after only 22 minutes, outplayed and outpaced their opponents for the entire opening half and then allowed the Sudanese to assume control for much of the second period.
In the process, a rejuvenated AlHilal were transformed from apparent no-hopers to a side who could prove distinctly troublesome for the Buccaneers when the second leg is played in Khartoum in two weeks’ time.
Pirates were quickly into their stride and opened the score through Tyren Arendse in the 18th minute following a frantic goal-mouth scramble.
And it was the nippy former Santos striker who increased the lead five minutes later with a subtle deflection from close range following a cross from the left flank by the deceptive Lelo Mbele.
AlHilal looked like a team who would have struggled in the Mvela League during the opening 45 minutes, but returned to the field after half-time hardly recognisable as the listless combination of the first half.
And, as he has proved in many of their most recent games, Francis Chansa in goal was required to come to the rescue of the Buccaneers on several occasions.
Both sides hit the woodwork in the second period and came close to scoring on numerous occasions.
But, in the end, it was the two-goal burst midway through the first half that separated the teams. — Sapa