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PIRATES REVIVE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE HOPES

South Africa’s Orlando Pirates put their MTN CAF Champions League hopes back on track with a valuable 1-0 away win over Ghana’s Hearts of Oak in Obuasi on Sunday.
Democratic Republic of Congo striker Blaise Mbele scored the game’s only goal in the 57th minute expertly chipping over the onrushing goalkeeper to hand Pirates a victory which puts them second in Group B.
Defeated home team, Hearts had their hopes effectively ended of making the first two places in the group and, with it, a place in next month’s semifinal.
Hearts kept up their record of failing to score, which is now extended to four matches in the group phase.
Pirates started the game cautiously but took the advantage of an early injury to defender Edward Malinga to put on striker Tyren Arendse and play a more expansive game.
Pirates’ breakthrough came when Benedict Vilakazi, returning from injury, stole a ball in midfield and passed forward for Mbele to out sprint the defence and lob the goalkeeper.
Hearts had several chances but were let down by poor shooting. Substitute Alfred Nii Larbi came closest when his late header was tipped onto the crossbar by Pirates’ goalkeeper Francis Chansa.
Pirates, who had drawn their first three league matches, moved to six points in the group, one above Enyimba of Nigeria.
Enyimba were held to a goalless draw at home by ASEC Abidjan earlier on Sunday in Group B’s other match.