Orlando Pirates suffered defeat in their CAF Confederation Cup clash losing 3-2 against Al-Ittihad in a five-goal thriller on Sunday evening.
Pirates started with real intent in Benghazi after their opening Group B win over JS Saoura last week but found themselves trailing as former Raja Athletic Club defender Sanad Al Ouarfal found the net after 14 minutes.
His powerfully struck free-kick saw a flailing Siyabonga Mpontshane left with no chance and it was an equally spectacular effort to get Pirates back into the lead.
Right-back Bandile Sandhu, who scored in the group opener against the Algerians pulled one of the top drawer with a long-range effort that restored parity for the Buccaneers for a minute.
Pirates were barely done celebrating and Mpontshane was picking the ball out of the back of the net again as Muad Eisay scored another spectacular effort with his left foot into the bottom right corner just before the half hour mark.
Shandu wasn’t to be denied his shine from the opening half and after relentless attacks from the visitors, he profited from a goal-mouth scramble to slot home the equaliser stoppage time.
But their hard work was to be undone ten minutes into the second half with the goal of the game coming from 21-year-old Omar Al Khouja who smashed a thunderous effort from long-range that looped over Mpontshane.
Despite the defeat, the Soweto giants remain at the summit of Group B ahead of Al Ittihad albeit having played one game more due to the late qualification of eSwatini side Royal Leopards – who’s yet to play a game.
JS Saoura are rooted to the foot of the table due to their 2-0 defeat at the hands of the South African outfit.
