MC Alger face a challenging test in the CAF Champions League quarter-finals, where they will go head-to-head with Orlando Pirates.
While this marks the first-ever meeting between the two clubs, the South African side is no stranger to Algerian opposition in continental competitions.
Pirates’ history against Algerian clubs
Despite never having faced MC Alger before, Orlando Pirates have played against five different Algerian teams in various CAF interclub tournaments.
Their first encounter with an Algerian club came in 1997, during the Champions League group stage, when they met USM Alger.
The Algerian side secured a 2-1 victory at home before settling for a 1-1 draw in Johannesburg.
The Pirates have also clashed with ES Sétif in the CAF Confederation Cup in 2021, with both matches ending goalless.
More recently, they faced JS Saoura, securing back-to-back 2-0 wins.
Additionally, in 1996, they defeated JS Kabylie 1-0 in the African Super Cup.
Their most recent encounters with Algerian opposition came in the 2023-24 season, where they played USM Alger twice, securing consecutive 2-1 wins.
A strong record against Algerian teams
In total, Orlando Pirates have played nine matches against Algerian clubs, boasting an impressive record of five wins, three draws, and just one defeat.
The only Algerian side to have beaten them remains USM Alger.
This history serves as a warning for MC Alger, who will need to be at their best to overcome the South African club.
A historic clash in the making
Both MC Alger and Orlando Pirates have lifted the CAF Champions League trophy once in their history.
MC Alger won the title in 1976, while the Pirates were crowned champions 19 years later, in 1995, after defeating ASEC Mimosas in the final.
Since then, the South African club has consistently competed in the tournament, reaching the semi-finals in 2006 and finishing runners-up in 2013 after losing to Al Ahly.
A battle of strengths
MC Alger enter the quarter-finals with the best defensive record of all four groups, a factor that could prove decisive against a highly disciplined Orlando Pirates side.
Additionally, Mouloudia have been consistent in their domestic league, currently sitting at the top of the Algerian championship.
The first leg of the quarter-final tie will take place on April 1, with the return leg scheduled for April 8.
The winner of this showdown will advance to the semi-finals, where they will meet the victor of the clash between Pyramids FC (Egypt) and AS FAR (Morocco).
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is set to announce the exact timings for the fixtures in the coming days.
