Orlando Pirates marched into the next round of the CAF Champions League with a 3-0 win over Djabal Club in the second leg of their CAF Champions League First Preliminary Round tie at Orlando Stadium on Friday night.
The result gave the Buccaneers a 4-0 aggregate win over the Islanders, as they now await the winner between Jwaneng Galaxy and Vipers in the next round of the competition.
Heading into the second leg of the tie with a slim advantage after their 1 – 0 win in the Comoros, the Buccaneers sought to impose themselves on home turf.
They managed to control proceedings from the opening whistle, but were met by a stubborn
The search for the game’s opener carried on until the 25th minute when the visitors failed to clear their lines from a set piece, allowing the in-form Zakhele Lepasa to head in with the help of a fumble from keeper Mihissoini Annisse.
That set up an uphill climb for Djabal, who were now two goals down on aggregate, as they went looking for a way back into the contest.
The bulk of the action however remained at the other end, where the Buccaneers continued to pile on the pressure.
Patrick Maswanganyi tried to conjure something up late in the opening half with a ball across field, locating Lepasa, who was immediately swamped by the defence and not allowed to release a shot.
Pirates continued their dominance in the second period after weathering a brief storm from the visitors, who only had a wayward shot to show from a rare surge forward.
Kabelo Dlamini went close in the 54th minute, pulling his effort just wide after cutting in from the flank.
This was just moments before a stunning strike from Maswanganyi, who took full advantage of acres of space afforded to him from outside the box as he drove a powerful shot into the back of the net to double the hosts’ lead on the night.
It would not take long before Pirates made it 3-0 as Lepasa completed his brace in the 63rd minute after collecting the ball from inside the penalty area before calmly slotting home.
The Soweto Giants remained dominant despite enjoying a comfortable lead, with substitutes Relebohile Mofokeng and Deon Hotto connecting well on the left.
Souaibou Marou could have extended the lead in the dying moments when he headed just wide, followed by Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo, who sent the ball looping over the bar from close range inside injury time.
It finished as a comfortable victory for the Buccaneers, who marched into the Second Preliminary Round after yet another commanding performance at home.
Pirates XI: Chaine, Maela, Sibisi, Monyane, Mako (Hotto 72’), Makaringe, Ndlondlo, Maswanganyi (Monare 72’), Otladisa, Dlamini (Mofokeng 66’), Lepasa (Marou 72’).
