Orlando Pirates secured a 3-1 win over La Cure Waves from Mauritius to advance to the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League qualifiers.
After a goalless draw in Mauritius last week which was an embarrassing result, given the amateur status of the opposition – a big win was targeted by Abdeslam Ouaddou and his troops at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday afternoon.
But they got off to the worst possible start when the visitors stunned the home side with an early lead in the sixth minute from a counter attack which ended in Sipho Chaine commiting an error.
Yanela Mbuthuma had the ball in the net, but it was ruled out for offside, and La Cure went on directly on the attack, when Chaine looked to clear the through ball, it richochet off the attacker, who went on to tap home into an empty net.
But Pirates responded quickly through Kabelo Kgotsitsile two minutes later, before Kamogelo Sebelebele and Muthuma netted before the break to hand Pirates a comfortable lead.
Oswin Appollis nearly added a fourth but his long-range strike was deflected onto the crossbar, and while they conceded, it was good outing for the likes of Neo Rapoo and Simphiwe Masilela – as two emerging talents in the squad.
Pirates now advance to face the winner between African Stars (Namibia) and Mangasport (Gabon) – with the next tie determining who enters the group stages of Africa’s elite club competition.