Orlando Pirates will take a handy advantage into the second leg of their CAF Champions League first preliminary round first-leg tie against Lioli after winning 3-0 in their away leg played at the Toyota Stadium in the Free State on Saturday.
The Soweto giants are firmly in the driving seat in their bid to clear their first hurdle as they look to make another appearance in the group stage of the prestigious competition.
This is after a commanding display on the road, where they set up an uphill climb for the Lesotho champions ahead of the deciding leg at Orlando Stadium.
Cautious early on
In attempting to avoid an early slip-up in the opening round of the competition, Orlando Pirates were rather cautious in their approach early on.
They had a chance five minutes in through the boot of Thalente Mbatha, who directed his shot just wide from outside the box after patient build-up play brought the action deep into opposition territory.
Possession and territorial dominance remained with the visitors without yielding much to raise decibel levels from the crowd that had showed up for the encounter.
This continued until midway through the first period when Thabiso Lebitso and Oswin Appollis were played clear within moments of each other, with neither managing to send the net bulging.
Easy save
The breakthrough continued to elude Orlando Pirates despite their bright start, and they could have edged ahead on the half-hour mark when Sipho Mbule headed at goal from inside the box only to find the eager hands of Lioli goalkeeper William Huni, who was positioned perfectly for an easy save.
Huni’s opposite number, Sipho Chaine was even less troubled at the other end – only called upon to collect loose balls that posed no significant threat as the hosts only made their way upfield through opportunistic counter attacks.
With the half-time whistle closing in, the Buccaneers intensified their efforts to go ahead on the scoreboard, but could not break the deadlock.
This was despite goal attempts from Mbatha and Sihle Nduli, who both directed their shots off target.
Following a frustrating first half, Orlando Pirates were more lively at the start of the second period.
Their approach eventually yielded the desired result as they got on the board just eight minutes after the restart.
Completed his brace
The breakthrough was provided by striker Tshegofatso Mabasa, who netted his 48th goal in the club’s colours when he headed in from the near post following a corner kick.
It only took the 28-year-old another three minutes to add one more to his tally, this time connecting with Mofokeng before expertly guiding the ball past Huni in completing his brace.
He could have made it three on the day if not for a misplaced header, as he got on the end of a pinpoint cross from Tshepang Moremi before going wide.
With their tails up, the Soweto giants continued to place the Lesotho champions under immense pressure.
Chances at edging further ahead fell to second-half substitutes Tshepang Moremi and Kabelo Dlamini, who both failed to alter the scoreline.
Just as it looked like Orlando Pirates were content with a two-goal advantage, Appollis produced the goods in injury time as he finished with a first-time shot from just inside the box to create more daylight between the two sides heading into the second leg.
His goal gave the Buccaneers extra breathing room in the tie, which is set to be decided in more familiar territory at Orlando Stadium in seven days’ time.
Orlando Pirates
Chaine, Seema, Mbokazi, Lebitso, Hotto (Ndaba 68’), Nduli (Nemtajela 68’), Mbatha (Dansin 46’), Mbule (Moremi 46’), Appollis, Mofokeng (Dlamini 76’), Mabasa
