Orlando Pirates were held to a goalless draw by Mauritius minnows La Cure Waves in their first preliminary round CAF Champions League first leg on Sunday.
The Buccaneers are starting the CAFCL with the aim of reaching at least the group stages after being knocked out in the preliminary round last season.
Their opening opponent shouldn’t have caused too many problems, as the Mauritian champions are a semi-professional team.
Abdeslam Ouaddou made several changes to his starting XI, resting the likes of Rapoo, Sebelebele, and Yanela Mbuthuma, with Nkosinathi Sibisi, Ghampani Lungu, Tshepang Moremi and Sebastian Pedersen not in the squad – new signing Mohau Nkota was also not included.
The Buccaneers dominated large parts of the possession in the first half, with the best chance coming from a shot from Boitumelo Radiopane but the in-form striker missed the target.
The second half started with a free-kick in a good position, but Deon Hotto sent it into the arms of the goalkeeper.
While Pirates were in firm control of the tie, the Buccaneers failed to create real scoring opportunities. Ouaddou reacted with bringing on the likes of Mbuthuma and Kgositsile after 64 minutes and Mokobodi and Ngwato 10 minutes later, but the score remained the same.
Mbuthuma had a late chance following a corner kick but his header sailed over the bar.
The Buccaneers now have it all to play for in the return leg at Orlando Amstel Arena next weekend.