Orlando Pirates are through to the group stage of the CAF Champions League following their 1-0 win over Jwaneng Galaxy in their home leg of the Second Preliminary Round clash against Jwaneng Galaxy at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.
The tie finishes with a 3-0 aggregate score in favour of the Soweto Giants, who had set themselves up for a less complicated path into the next round with a 2-0 win away from home. Coming up against a side looking to quickly wipe out a two-goal deficit, the hosts were forced into some defensive work three minutes after the first whistle.
The first shot at goal came through the boot of Thabang Sesinyi who forced Bucs keeper Sipho Chaine to his right, but the shot-stopper was largely untroubled by the attempt. Chaine’s opposite number Goitseone Phoko meanwhile had a quieter opening quarter, but was involved in a nervy moment for the men from Botswana when he gave away possession in a dangerous area. This resulted in an attempt at his goal from Kabelo Dlamini, whose effort was blocked as the defence made a desperate scramble.
That proved to be a rare opportunity for the Buccaneers who despite enjoying a good share of the possession, were unable to penetrate Dinaledi’s defensive wall. Sesinyi had another go at Chaine, producing an identical result to his earlier chance, but it was an opening half devoid of a flurry of chances at both ends with each defence holding firm.
There was a bit more purpose from each side at the start of the second half, with Jwaneng forward Thero Setsile going within inches of breaking the deadlock with a volley from just outside the box in the 49th. His effort was however wide of the target. Pirates hit back with an attack of their own, which ended as Monnapule Saleng headed straight at Phoko after getting on the end of a deft chip from Gilberto.
The Jwaneng keeper had to make a bit more effort to keep out a firmly struck shot from Deano van Rooyen, who drew him into a fine save diving to his left. A few wayward shots from the visitors followed as Sesinyi and Kutwelo Mpolokang both failed to trouble Chaine. Phoko meanwhile remained engaged at the other end, denying Deon Hotto in a one-on-one situation in the 67th minute.
Pirates continued to probe, pushing their attacks deep into Jwaneng territory where Kabelo Dlamini displayed excellent footwork to free himself up for a shot amid close attention from the opposition, only to be denied by their last line of defence. With regulation time up, midfielder Thalente Mbatha had a go at the visitors’ from a long way out, but was also unable to find a way past the shot-stopper.
The breakthrough came late in injury time courtesy of Saleng, who was played in by Relebohile Mofokeng before calmly slotting past Phoko for his second last-minute goal in the space of a week. Three goals to the good, the Buccaneers had one more surge into Dinaledi’s half and could not stretch their advantage any further as the final whistle sounded soon after, sending through to the group stage for the first time in five years.
Pirates XI: Chaine, Sesane, Ndah, Van Rooyen, Hotto, Makhaula, Dlamini (Sibisi 82’),
Saleng, Maswanganyi (Mofokeng 68’), Gilberto (Mbatha 68’), Mabasa (Radiopane 82’).
