Orlando Pirates striker Tshegofatso Mabasa has drawn closer to the all-time goal scoring record after bagging a brace in their 3-0 win over Lioli FC in their 1st preliminary round CAF Champions League qualifier at the Toyota Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Last season’s semi-finalists were playing in the Free State, the home province of Mabasa – with Lioli not having a stadium in their country that meets the requirements for Confederation of African Football (CAF) standards.
For what was expected to be a straight forward result – the Lesotho Premier League champions managed to hold a full-strength Pirates outfit to 0-0 until half-time despite Pirates having the bulk of the opportunities.
However, Mabasa opened the scoring seven minutes after the break, heading home Deon Hotto’s corner and two minutes later was fed inside the area by Relebohile Mofokeng to secure his brace.
The goals took him three goals away from the all-time scoring record of 52 goals scored by club legend Bennidict Vilakazi – with 49 goals to his name in 138 games across all competitions.
Oswin Appollis made it three for Pirates in injury-time after being set up by Tshepang Moremi.
Pirates will now host Lioli in the return leg next week at Orlando Stadium – with a major advantage to advance to the second round of the Champions League qualifiers.
