Orlando Pirates came from a goal down to book their spot in the next round of the CAF Champions League with a 3-1 win over Mauritius’ La Cure Waves in the second leg of their First Preliminary Round tie at Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday.
After a goalless opening leg in Port Louis last Sunday, Pirates’ three goals to their visitors’ solitary strike meant straightforward progression in the tournament for the Betway Premiership champions. Their triumph set up a clash against reigning Namibian champions African Stars in the Second Preliminary Round with both Southern African giants vying for a spot in the group stage.
On a hot spring afternoon in Soweto, the home side sprung to life from the get-go in what appeared a dream start when Yanela Mbuthuma tapped in from close range after being played in by Kabelo Kgositsile who was making his full debut in the famous black and white. The Bucs centre-forward’s celebrations were however cut short as the offside flag was up moments before he turned the ball into the net.
That set the tone of what was a remarkable opening period as both sides got on the scorecard inside the first 10 minutes. The visitors were the first to get off the mark in the tie, aided by miscommunication from the Pirates defence with Jean Ami capitalising on the error to put his side ahead with just six minutes played.
The Soweto Giants did not mull over that bit of misfortune for too long as they hit back almost immediately after stretching the Mauritanian champions defence with Kgositsile on hand to finish from close range for his first goal in Pirates colours.
La Cure Waves looked to restore their lead shortly after through a set piece taken right in front of the Buccaneers goal, but the resultant shot was deflected wide of the upright. The hosts also had opportunities of their own when Kamogelo Sebelebele and Kgositsile both drew saves off goalkeeper Jean Ramdiane.
The Pirates right back was not to be kept at bay for too long as he placed his side ahead in the tie for the first time in the 25th minute when he linked up with Kgositsile on the left before firing past the Waves shot-stopper to make it 2-1.
With their visitors only needing just one more away goal to reclaim the driving seat, the hosts were not completely out of the woods and continued to look to pull away throughout the opening half-hour. They got their just reward eight minutes from the break with Mbuthuma rising past his earlier disappointment to nod in from a Thapelo Mokobodi corner to leave the Mauritians needing to score twice to progress.
They looked to further extend their lead in the dying minutes of the first half, but shots from Mokobodi and Oswin Appollis could not yield the fourth goal.
The high-octane first 45 minutes gave way to a more subdued second period as the Buccaneers remained firmly in the driving seat while the islanders preferred to sit back and limit further damage.
Appollis picked up from where he left off in the first half with a shot that drew a save from Ramdiane three minutes after the restart, while Sebelebele produced a similar result with a volley from the right side of the pitch on the hour mark. The Waves shot-stopper made another save from an effort from a set piece taken by Neo Rapoo as the hosts looked to place the result beyond doubt.
Clear-cut chances dried up for the Buccaneers throughout the remainder of the final quarter, while their visitors failed to show any real intent in looking to claw their way back into contention. A late chance could have taken things from bad to worse for the men in yellow as replacement striker Boitumelo Radiopane broke away in the dying moments only to force a save from Ramdiane.
