South African powerhouse Orlando Pirates will have to overcome Moroccan giants Raja Casablanca in the CAF Confederation Cup quarter-finals, following Friday’s draw in Cairo.
The clash promises to be one of the most anticipated ties of the round, pitting a side with rich continental history against one of Africa’s most dominant teams this season.
Raja Casablanca’s Dominance
Raja Casablanca head into the knockout stage as clear favourites after a flawless group stage campaign. The Moroccan club won all six of their matches, scored 13 goals, and remarkably did not concede a single one.
Their most emphatic display came in Egypt, where they thrashed 2020 runners-up Pyramids 3-0, sending a strong message to the rest of the competition.
From experienced goalkeeper Anas Zniti, who recently starred at the African Nations Championship, to lethal forward Soufiane Rahimi, Raja boast a balanced, multinational squad with depth in every department. The club last lifted the Confederation Cup in 2018 and are determined to bring the trophy back to Morocco for a record-extending sixth time.
Orlando Pirates’ Defensive Strength
While the Buccaneers may not have matched Raja’s attacking firepower, their defensive solidity has been one of their strongest assets. German coach Josef Zinnbauer will be encouraged by the fact that Pirates conceded just two goals in nine matches on their way to the quarter-finals.
However, scoring only 10 goals across those fixtures highlights the team’s struggles in front of goal. To advance past Raja, the South Africans will need to improve their finishing while maintaining their defensive discipline.
Pirates last reached the Confederation Cup final in 2015, finishing as runners-up, and will hope to go one step further this year despite facing one of the continent’s most dangerous opponents.
Enyimba, Pyramids and North African Clashes
Elsewhere, Nigerian champions Enyimba will lock horns with Egypt’s Pyramids in a mouthwatering clash. Enyimba have been dominant at home with four straight victories but have lost all four of their away matches, a record that could prove costly against an expensively assembled Pyramids side.
The Cairo-based club boast a star-studded roster featuring Uruguayan Diego Rolan, Ghana’s John Antwi, Burkinabe international Eric Traore, and Palestinian striker Mahmoud Wadi.
Meanwhile, the all-North African tie between Tunisia’s CS Sfaxien and Algeria’s JS Kabylie promises to be another highlight. Both clubs have strong continental pedigrees, with Sfaxien being record three-time winners of the competition.
In the final pairing, Cameroonian side Coton Sport will meet Senegal’s Jaraaf, two surprise packages who exceeded expectations to reach the knockout stage.
Road to the Final
The first-leg quarter-final matches are scheduled for May 16, with the return legs on May 23. The winners will advance to the semi-finals set for June 20 and June 27, with a single-match final to be held on July 10.
For Orlando Pirates, the road ahead is daunting, but with their defensive resilience and continental experience, they will aim to cause an upset against a rampant Raja Casablanca side determined to reclaim African glory.
