Pirates reach Champions League group stage for the first time in five years

Orlando Pirates have clinched a place in the CAF Champions League group stage for the first time in five years after securing a 1-0 victory over Jwaneng Galaxy at Orlando Stadium in Soweto on Saturday evening.

The Buccaneers came into this encounter having claimed a comfortable 2-0 win over the Botswana giants in the away-leg, thanks to goals by Tshegofatso Mabasa and Deon Hotto last week.

In the return-leg, Monnapule Saleng made sure the Pirates finished what they started in Botswana as he scored the only goal of the game in stoppage time in the second half.

Below are the talking points from this second-leg of the Champions League second preliminary round showdown.

JWANENG GALAXY FAIL TO BOUNCE BACK

Galaxy came into this contest with so much confidence, thinking history would repeat itself, having defeated The Sea Robbers last campaign in the very same competition.

Last season Galaxy managed to win 1-0 on their own turf in the second preliminary round of the 2023/24 tournament. In the second-leg, Morena Ramoreboli’s side went through to the group stage after beating Pirates on penalties after the game ended level [1-1 on aggregate].

However, this time around, Dinaledi couldn’t avenge their 2-0 loss at home, and their journey in the Champions ended in Soweto, as they lost again to Pirates with a 1-0 scoreline.

BOTH SIDE NOT CLINICAL

Pirates and the Botswana giants were not clinical in front of goal. But the hosts looked to be the brighter side on the night, as the visitors couldn’t create anything to trouble Bucs.

The Happy People tried to take control of the tie and shake things up, but all their efforts eventually paid off in the last minutes of the match when Saleng scored.

FANS TURN OUT

The people of Soweto came out in small numbers to support the Pirates. The extreme cold weather conditions seemed to have affected the turnout.

With that being said, the fans’ abundant roars and rumbles in the stands were satisfying, as always at ‘Esgodini’.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Jose Riveiro-coached club have been on the upper side over the years. Pirates have won four of their five last meetings against Galaxy.

In those five matches, Pirates only conceded one goal and found the back of the net on seven occasions.

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