Buccaneers secure top finish and advance to knockout rounds CAF Confederation Cup

Orlando Pirates secured the top spot in their CAF Confederations Cup group following a goalless draw to Al-Ittihad on Sunday at Orlando Stadium.

The Buccaneers had already qualified for the knockout rounds with one game ahead of their final match in Group B - but a point meant that they ended above Al-Ittihad.

Pirates just had to avoid defeat to end in second place and were by no means guaranteed a result after their 3-2 loss to Al-Ittihad in the reverse fixture in Libya.

Pirates were dominant throughout the tie and started well with Bandile Shandu' going close early on, only to see his effort easily collected by goalkeeper Muad Allafi.

Fortune Makaringe was wasteful with a close-range shot after being set up by Kabelo Dlamini

Abel Mabaso came as close as anyone for Bucs in the first half. At the same time, Elmehdi Mohamed Elhouni may have broken the deadlock minutes after the restart, only to be denied by a strong Richard Ofori save.

Mohamed Zubiya headed the resulting corner wide in a brief spell of attacking play by the visiting team.

But the normal play was resumed as Frank Mhango and Thembinkosi Lorch were brought on to freshen up the Pirates' attack.

However, it was Dlamini who was his team's best bet for a goal, and he so nearly produced with a fantastic, curling effort that flew inches over the crossbar.

But Pirates seemingly targeted a draw the more prolonged the tie wore on as they have worn down their opponents without making a breakthrough.

Ultimately, both sides could be happy about the result as they secured their passage to the knockout rounds.