Moroccan giants Raja Casablanca booked their place in the semi-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup with a resounding 4-0 victory over South Africa’s Orlando Pirates on Sunday. The win secured a 5-1 aggregate triumph after the first leg ended in a 1-1 stalemate in Soweto.
The match at Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca quickly turned into a showcase of attacking brilliance and defensive frailty. All four goals came in the opening 36 minutes, leaving the Pirates shell-shocked and confirming Raja’s reputation as one of the strongest contenders for this season’s continental crown.
Malango the Star of the Show
Democratic Republic of Congo forward Ben Malango was the standout performer, scoring twice to increase his tournament tally to five goals. His first came just seven minutes into the game, a powerful header that set the tone for Raja’s dominance. He later completed his brace with a composed finish after being set up by Soufiane Rahimi.
Malango is now among seven players tied on five goals in the competition, just one behind top scorer Lambert Araina of Cameroon’s Coton Sport. His form has been pivotal for Raja, who are chasing their second Confederation Cup title after lifting the trophy in 2018.
Ruthless First-Half Display
Raja’s early onslaught left the Pirates with no chance to recover. After Malango’s opener, Zakaria El Wardi doubled the lead with a precise finish following a clever cross, marking his first goal in African competition this season.
Soon after, Soufiane Rahimi broke free of the defense and chipped the ball over goalkeeper Wayne Sandilands for the third goal. Malango then added the fourth, effectively sealing the contest before half-time.
The combination of Raja’s clinical finishing and Pirates’ defensive lapses ensured the South African side’s hopes of a comeback evaporated long before the break.
Pirates’ Record-Equalling Defeat
Although Orlando Pirates showed more determination in the second half, they could not break down Raja’s defense or even score a consolation goal. The result equaled their heaviest away defeat in a CAF competition and raised fresh questions about their ability to challenge North African clubs, who continue to dominate continental football.
North African Clubs Dominate Quarter-Finals
Raja will face Pyramids FC of Egypt, last year’s Confederation Cup runners-up, in the semi-finals. The Egyptian side advanced after eliminating Nigeria’s Enyimba, winning 5-2 on aggregate. Enyimba’s defensive mistakes in the first leg proved costly, and a 1-1 draw in Aba was not enough to rescue their campaign.
Elsewhere, Senegal’s Jaraaf defeated Coton Sport 2-1 in Thies but were eliminated on away goals, with the Cameroonian side progressing thanks to their 1-0 win in the first leg.
In the fourth quarter-final, Algerian side JS Kabylie advanced past Tunisia’s CS Sfaxien, edging through 2-1 on aggregate after a dramatic penalty-filled tie. Kabylie will now meet Coton Sport in the semi-finals.
Looking Ahead to the Semi-Finals
With both semi-final matchups repeating earlier group-stage clashes, fans can expect fierce encounters. Raja Casablanca will be looking to maintain their unbeaten run against Pyramids, while Kabylie aim to continue their resurgence against Coton Sport.
For now, Raja’s performance against Orlando Pirates sends a strong message: they are not just aiming to reach the final but determined to lift the trophy once again. And with Ben Malango in lethal form, few would bet against them.
