Orlando Pirates defeated Djabal Club d’Iconi in the opening leg of their Caf Champions League preliminary round match on Saturday.

Zakhele Lepasa scored the game’s only goal to give the South Africa team a vital away win.

Lepasa’s last-second goal at Stade de Moroni gives Pirates a significant edge when they travel to Orlando on Friday for the second leg.

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Djabal was doing their hardest to keep a clean sheet when Lepasa came on as a substitute and scored the game-winning goal, which was a terrible outcome for them.

Given that they are one of the top scoring clubs in domestic football, having scored 10 goals in four games since the season began this month, Pirates were always the favourites in this matchup.

Although they were second in the league last year and won the MTN8 and Nedbank Cup, head coach Jose Riveiro had never played in the Champions League.

However, the Spaniard-born player showed he has steely nerves by keeping to his promise to alter his customary starting lineup from the previous four domestic games.

Among the eight substitutions was Richard Ofori, who preserved a clean sheet in his first matchback since leaving the club late last year due to injury.

Deon Hotto’s corner kick bounced out of play for a goal kick, but Ofori had to stop Relebohile Mofekeng’s effort before it could be scored on.

While Ofori wasn’t disturbed early on, his Djabal counterpart had to save his side from losing.

Thabiso Monyane did well to connect with Monnapule Saleng, whose shot from inside the box forced the custodian to make a save. Pirates kept applying pressure to Djabal.

Pirates had the majority of the first half’s possession; nevertheless, after 30 minutes, Djabal attempted to score for the visitors but his attempt was unsuccessful.

Instead, Hotto and Bienvenu Eva Nga should have given Pirates the lead, but they both missed, and the hosts also squandered their chance to take an improbable lead before halftime.

In the first moments of the second half, Mofokeng and Saleng continued to advance into Djabal’s final third, but they were either stopped by some outstanding goalkeeping or their shots were missed.

Lepasa and Katlego Otladisa were introduced into the battle by Riveiro as they raced against time in pursuit of a crucial away goal.

A feat that almost immediately paid off as Lepasa’s shot was blocked.

Lepasa added the game-winning goal with three minutes remaining in stoppage time to give Pirates the victory before the second leg in Soweto on Friday.

This came after Pirates continued to put pressure on Djabal.

Since the season’s beginning, Lepasa has scored six goals in five games.

A victory that will please Riveiro and the Ghost, who thought the player had a lot to contribute before loaning him to SuperSport for the second half of the previous season.

Other CAF Champions League Results

Africa Stars 2-1 Dynamos Power

APR 1-1 Gaadiidka