Orlando Pirates sink Lioli to seal CAF Champions League progression in style

Orlando Pirates marched into the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League with yet another strong showing against Lesotho’s Lioli FC at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.

A brace of goals from Tshepang Moremi and Yanela Mbuthuma handed the Buccaneers a 4-0 win in the second leg of the first preliminary round, completing a 7-0 aggregate victory following last week’s 3-0 triumph at the Free State Stadium. Mbuthuma broke his duck for his new side, rounding off a perfect afternoon for the Buccaneers.

It was another box ticked for Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, who so far seems untroubled by the pressure of the hot seat he occupies. With expectations high following last season’s narrow CAF Champions League semi-final loss to Pyramids FC (3-2), he is tasked not only with producing results but also with improving the side he inherited. Saturday’s second-leg tie was no different, though the 3-0 aggregate lead from the first leg provided some breathing room.

Ouaddou rotated his squad for the clash, making six changes. Key players such as Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Deon Hotto were rested with one eye on their important Betway Premiership fixture against high-flying TS Galaxy on Tuesday.

The visitors were never going to give up easily, though. Their best chance of the contest came in the 17th minute when Pirates keeper Sipho Chaine’s attempted pass to Lebone Seema was intercepted and fell into the path of Litsepe Marabe, who failed to punish the home side for the error.

Lioli were pinned back and remained on the defensive for much of the opening half, with their chances of turning the tie around gradually fading. Pirates lacked the fine touches in the final third, and it took 45 minutes to finally land a decisive breakthrough.

Moremi, continuing his impressive form this season, opened the scoring with an exquisite free-kick on the stroke of halftime, ending any hopes the Lesotho outfit had of contesting the tie.

The Sea Robbers put their foot on the accelerator in the second half, and just three minutes after the restart, Moremi, oozing with confidence, carried on his momentum from the opening half. His tame shot lacked venom but bounced awkwardly past Lioli keeper William Huni for his second of the day.

Beaten and bruised, Lioli were left wide open as the game had already slipped from their grasp. But in what will be a day to remember for the former Richards Bay FC forward, Mbuthuma secured his brace between the 78th and 80th minute to hand his side a convincing win after the two legs.