Orlando Pirates placed one foot in the CAF Champions League group stages when they beat Botswana’s Jwaneng Galaxy 2-0 in the first leg of their Second Preliminary Round tie at the National Stadium on Saturday.
The result gives the Buccaneers a significant advantage in the two-legged match-up which is scheduled to conclude at Orlando Stadium in seven days. Looking to avoid a potential banana peel, the Buccaneers had no trouble controlling possession in the opening stages of the contest but could not find a way into the hosts’ penalty area. This continued until well into the second quarter, as the visitors were unable to
make the most of a succession of set pieces that fell their way.
Monnapule Saleng did draw a save from Jwaneng goalkeeper Goitseone Phoko by going
direct with a free kick from a fair distance out seven minutes from the break, with the show stopper making a comfortable stop in the end.
Pirates kept pushing for the opener, which arrived on the stroke of halftime when Tshegofatso Mabasa capitalised on a half-hearted clearance from the home side’s defence to put the visitors ahead from the edge of the box.
Dinaledi came out guns blazing in the second half and had a chance to draw level two
minutes from the whistle. However, Gabriel Baruti misfired with his effort at goal, pushing the
ball well wide. Relebohile Mofokeng had an opportunity of his own at the other end, but was unable to
double the Buccaneers’ lead as he found the side-netting.
The two sides continued to trade shots at goal as Baruti brought out an acrobatic save from
Sipho Chaine, who tipped what looked like a goalbound shot over the bar. Thalente Mbatha
followed suit with an attempt from a fair distance out, but a deflection inside the box ensured
a comfortable save for Phoko.
The game maintained a high tempo, with Pirates eventually pulling two-goals clear in the
77th minute through Deon Hotto, who got on the end of a pass from Patrick Maswanganyi
before firing into the back of the net.
With the Buccaneers looking to see the game out, the home side had a late opportunity
through a last-gasp free kick, but could not make the most of it as Chaine was untroubled by the resultant shot. The final whistle sounded moments later, with the Soweto Giants taking a handy lead to the deciding leg.
Pirates XI: Chaine, Ndah, Sesane, Van Rooyen (Maela 86’), Hotto, Mbatha, Makhaula,
Saleng (Gilberto 86’), Maswanganyi (Rasebotja 86’), Mofokeng (Sibisi 76’), Mabasa
(Radiopane 69’).
