Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says his side are well positioned to reach the group stage but must remain focused ahead of the return leg against African Stars.

The Buccaneers secured a 1-0 victory over African Stars in their CAF Champions League second preliminary round first-leg at the Botswana National Stadium.

The Sea Robbers will be hoping to finish the job when they meet the Namibian side in the return leg at the Orlando Amstel Arena next week.

Ouaddou has praised his side’s performance after securing a narrow victory over the Namibian outfit in the first leg.

“My boys did well, we started how we wanted, no surprises about the opponent, we had good information from my analysis department, well done to them, the first half we adapted well to the conditions, the heat, the pitch as well,” Ouaddou said as quoted by IDiski Times.

“We definitely could have scored two goals early – but I have to give credit to the team block, defensively we were strong again, another clean sheet. We went without conceding a goal, which was the target, make tactical adjustments to get the away goal.

“We did it, the boys showed ambition to score this away goal, we could have scored more goals, but let’s be happy, I think we succeeded the first half, we still have the second half in South Africa – I can say we have one foot in the group stage.

“We have an important second half, we have to prepare for this in order to get into the group stage, it’s important target for the club, the technical team, the players, we will make sure we rest and start this game, to win it.”