Despite acknowledging that hosts Ahly wasn't an easy opponent, Orlando Pirates midfielder Oupa Manyisa believes Sunday's large 3-0 win over the Egyptian giants was a deserved one.  

Title holders Ahly tasted their heaviest home defeat in the African Champions League after slumping to a stunning loss to the South African champions in the Red Sea resort of El-Gouna on Sunday.

The seven-time African champions, Ahly, were widely seen as the frontrunners to win this match, but surprisingly the visitors managed to sink them.

"Football is won on the playing field - not off it," Manyisa told his club's official website.

"We came into this match with the same mentality as in our match against TP Mazembe.

"The fact that we are representing South Africa and not only ourselves means that we need to conduct ourselves in the best way possible and I believe we achieved just that.

"The score line isn’t a true reflection of the match….this was no walk in the park. Our opposition were very difficult but fortunately we capitalised on the chances we created.

"We were underdogs going into this match and I guess that is what made it easier for us on the day. We were relaxed ahead of this match, the pressure was always going to be on the hosts,” he concluded.

Orlando Pirates top Group A with four points, ahead of second-placed AC Leopards on goal difference after the Congolese outfit beat Zamalek 1-0.

Cairo rivals Ahly and Zamalek have one point each after playing out a 1-1 draw in their opening group-stage game, which was also played in El-Gouna.

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