RS Berkane beat Pirates to win Confederation Cup

RS Berkane of Morocco defeated Orlando Pirates of South Africa 5-4 on penalties to win the 2022 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup final decided in Uyo on Friday.

Berkane were on the back foot for most of the duration but forced their opponents to a 0-0 result in regulation time but a combination of profligacy by the South Africans and good goalkeeper by Berkane goalkeeper Hamiani Akbi ensured there was no goal in 90 minutes.

Winger Daniel Hotto missed the best chance of the game within the opening five minutes when he was put through by Ben Motshwari but his effort from close range was tame for Akbi.

The 2020 champions however stunned the energetic South Africans and their adopted Uyo fans in the 97th minute courtesy of Youssef Alfahli’s spot kick following an intervention by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) to centre referee Janny Sikazwe.

Pirates however levelled scores when it looked as though they never would as the lively Thembi Lorch weaved his way into the box before his final touch got a lucky deflection which took it beyond Akbi.

In the ensuing spot kicks, Lorch who would later be named Man of the Match missed Pirates’ second take (saved by goalkeeper Akbi) and that proved crucial as the Berkane converted all of their five spot kicks to win it 5-4.

Pirates’ co-coach Mandla Ncikazi was disappointed that his side lost a game “we shouldn’t have lost.”

“We lost the final and we lost a match that we shouldn’t have lost. We should have won the game in normal time but that’s the story of our season so far.

“We created many chances, dominated the game but we just didn’t do what is the most important which is putting the ball inside the net,” said Ncikazi after the game.

Berkane head coach Florent Ibenge Ikwange was a happy man after the game.

“I’m happy for Moroccans and for our fans. I’ve lost two finals before so I am very happy to win this trophy again. It was a difficult game but my team showed character which is what champions are made of,” Berkane head coach Florent Ibege said after the game.