Orlando Pirates advanced to the next round of the CAF Champions League after claiming an impressive win over La Cure Waves in the second leg of the first preliminary round at Orlando Stadium on Saturday. The Buccaneers secured a 3-1 win, with goals from Kabelo Kgositsile, Kamogelo Sebelebele and Yanela Mbuthuma, to progress in the CAF interclub competition.
Pirates welcomed La Cure Waves in their home venue, desperate to claim positive results and advance to the next round of the Champions League. In the opening minutes, the Bucs were caught napping on defence after committing a costly error that saw La Cure Waves score the opening goal in the 6th minute courtesy of Jean Ami.
The Soweto giants responded immediately after Kabelo Kgositsile netted the opening goal for the hosts to bring the scoreline to 1-1. In the 25th minute, Kamogelo Sebelebele scored the second goal of the match for the Sea Robbers to take an advantage against the side from Mauritius.
A few minutes later, Mbuthuma connected beautifully with Thapelo Mokobodi’s cross from a corner kick to make it 3-1, going into the half-time break high on confidence. In the second half, the tempo dropped drastically as both sides struggled to create clear-cut scoring opportunities. As a result, the Ghosts secured the all-important victory to book a spot in the second preliminary rounds of the Champions League.
FARPost zooms in on four talking points of the match:
1. KABELO KGOSITSILE OPENS HIS PIRATES ACCOUNT
The talented winger scored his first goal for Pirates after returning to the club, having spent the previous season on loan at Baroka FC in the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
Kgositsile has mostly been used as an impact player for the Soweto giants in the current campaign under head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou.
2. MASINDI NEMTAJELA RETURNS TO MATCHDAY SQUAD
Nemtajela made his return to the matchday squad for the first time this season, having sustained a long-term injury in the second round of the previous season. The skilful midfielder started the match against La Cure Waves on the bench, and he will be looking to start the next few matches.
3. SIPHO CHAINE COMMITS RARE MISTAKE
Reigning goalkeeper of the season Sipho Chaine committed a rare mistake after failing to clear the ball, giving La Cure Waves attacker an opportunity to pounce and score the opening goal. The Bafana Bafana international has been a key figure between the sticks for Pirates after winning the Goalkeeper accolade for the last two campaigns. He kept 21 clean sheets in 30 games in the Betway Premiership.
4. YANELA MBUTHUMA CONTINUE SCORING FORM
The former Richards Bay FC striker scored his third goal of the season after a challenging run in the opening matches. Mbuthuma scored a brace in a league match against Kruger United over a week ago before finding the back of the net against La Cure Waves.
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