Pirates hammer Disciples FC to progress to next round of CAF Champions League

Orlando Pirates have progressed to the second round of the CAF Champions League preliminary round after hammering Disciples FC from Madagascar 4-0 on Friday night in Soweto.

Pirates welcomed Disciples FC at Orlando Stadium, looking to proceed to the next stage of the Champions League.

The Soweto giants played to a disappointing goalless draw against the little-known Disciples FC in Mauritius last Sunday.

In the continental showpiece last season, ‘The Buccaneers’ were eliminated in the first round by Botswana giants Jwaneng Galaxy after losing 5-4 on penalties.

Pirates began the match against Disciples FC with a high tempo, with Tshegofatso Mabasa scoring a goal early in the first-half, but it was ruled offside.

Shortly after their goal was judged to be offside, Pirates launched another attack and found the back of the net, as Mabasa forced an own goal out of the Disciples’ defence.

‘The Ghost’ continued to dominate the ball position in their backyard and found the second goal in the 23rd minute through Relebohile Mofokeng.

PIRATES OPEN THE FLOODGATES OF GOALS

Pirates opened the floodgates in the 28th minute with Patrick Maswanganyi, wearing jersey number 10 on the day, scoring a sublime goal to make it 3-0.

With Pirates proving to be a superior team on the pitch, Monnapule Saleng scored a fine header in the 35th minute after receiving a pinpoint cross from Kabelo Dlamini. However, the goal was flagged for offside. Pirates went into the half-time break with a comfortable three-goal lead after a clinical first-half display.

Bucs made a notable substitution upon resuming the second-half, bringing Makhehlene Makhaula in place of Maswanganyi.

Pirates missed a handful of scoring chances in the second-half with Evidence Makgopa, Mofokeng and Saleng all failing to convert.

But it was second-half sub, Karim Kimvuidi who scored the fourth goal for Pirates deep in added time to cap off a great performance by Pirates.

Despite Disciples’ efforts to fight back and turn the results in their favour, Pirates held on to win 4-0 and book a spot in the second round of the preliminary rounds.

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