Orlando Pirates are out of the CAF Confederation Cup after losing 4-0 to Raja Casablanca in the quarter-finals, 5-1 on aggregate.
The Moroccans were just too clinical for Josef Zinnbauer’s team at the Stade Mohammed V, and advance to the semi-finals.
Raja Casablanca 4-0 Orlando Pirates
Pirates could have been in the lead in the sixth minute but Siphesihle Ndlovu was denied by an excellent save from Anas Zniti.
And moments later the home team were in front, as Ben Malango’s header left Wayne Sandilands with no chance.
It could have been two in the 11th minute but Sandilands pulled off a good save to deny Mahmoud Benhalib. On the other end Innocent Maela went close a minute later, but his first time effort flew into the side-netting.Â
Pirates could have been level in the 15th minute but Zniti pulled off another save to deny Deon Hotto, before Ndlovu shot wide with goalkeeper caught out of his goal. Ndlovu’s header went wide moments later.
Raja made it 2-0 in the 22nd minute, as Zakaria El Wardi was on hand to finish off a cross from Soufiane Rahimi at close range.
Sandilands stopped it being three two minutes later as he denied Malango in a one-on-one situation. But it was 3-0 on the half hour mark, as Rahimi burst clear from his own half, and chipped over Sandilands.
Five minutes later it was 4-0 to Raja, as Malango gathered and ran into the box before chipping over Sandilands.
Wayde Jooste forced Zniti into a save with his long range effort in the 41st minute and another effort in first half stoppage time deflect wide, but at halftime the tie was as good as over with Raja leading 4-0, 5-1 on aggregate.
Rahimi tested Sandilands in the 49th minute, but the Pirates goalkeeper was up to the task. Substitute Gabadiinho Mhango got a chance in the 54th minute but Zniti made the save to deny Pirates.
After some neat interplay El Wardi almost made it five in the 68th minute, but he shot wide of goal.
While Pirates continued to press for a way back into the game, they failed to create clear cut opportunities and the tie drifted further away.
Nkanyiso Zungu’s first time volley in the 85th minute flew high and wide, while Hotto’s free kick in stoppage time was blocked by the wall.
Unfortunately for Zinnbauer and his team, the damage had been done in the first half, and Raja held out for a deserved spot in the last four.
