Orlando Pirates thrashed African Stars 4-0 in the second leg of the CAF Champions League second preliminary round at Orlando Amstel Arena Arena on Friday night.

The Buccaneers won the tie 5-0 on aggregate, having beaten the Namibian side 1-0 at the Botswana National Stadium last weekend before securing a convincing 4-0 win at home.

Pirates welcomed Africans Stars at home, looking to secure convincing results and advance to the group stage of the Champions League. In the opening minutes of the match, Pirates enjoyed a fair share of ball possession after pinning the Namibian side into their own half.

The Buccaneers broke the deadlock in the 18th minute with a tap-in from midfield maestro Thapelo Mokobodi, who received a perfect pass from Simphiwe Masilela.

Mokobodi came close to netting his second goal of the night after combining well with Masilela but his strike went inches away off target.

In the 45th minute, Evidence Makgopa scored the second goal for Pirates to go into the half-time break comfortably leading 2-0 and 3-0 on aggregate.

Immediately after the half-time break, the Sea Robbers increased their goal tally to three after Mpho Padime, who came on as a second-half substitute, scored the third goal. The highly-rated youngster opened his account for Pirates after gaining promotion from the club’s DStv Diski Challenge side ahead of the 2026/27 season.

Makgopa completed his brace after scoring the last goal for Pirates to alk away with a mouth-watering win in front of thier home fans.

FARPost looks at four talking points in Pirates’ victory over African Stars:

THAPELO MOKOBODI CONTINUES HIS FINE FORM

The talented midfielder is continuing his impressive form at Pirates after scoring his first goal in the Champions League for the club.

Mokobodi joined Pirates in the off-season from Stellenbosch FC and made an immediate impact after establishing himself as a regular starter in the central midfield position.

The former Marumo Gallants midfielder has so far featured in 13 appearances across all competitions for Pirates, scored two goals and chipped in with two assists.

EVIDENCE MAKGOPA REPLACES YANELA MBUTHUMA

Makgopa replaced Mbuthuma in the starting line and capped up his return with a brace against African Stars to help his side qualify for the group stage of the continental tournament.

Mbuthuma has been a preferred starter in the Pirates’ attack, although he has faced heavy criticism for the lack of sharpness in the final third.

MPHO PADIME SCORES FIRST PIRATES GOAL

The dribbling wizard scored his first senior goal for Pirates after coming on as a second-half substitute.

Padime will be hoping that the opening goal at Pirates serves as a confidence booster to play a bigger role for the defending Betway Premiership champions with matches coming thick and fast.

ORLANDO PIRATES CORRECT LAST SEASON’S EARLY EXIT

Pirates corrected last season’s heartbreak, which saw them crashing out of the second preliminary round of the Champions League with a shock defeat against FC Saint-Eloi Lupopo.

In the previous campaign, Pirates lost 3-0 against Lupopo away before registering a win at home with the same scoreline. They eventually lost on penalty shootout at Orlando Amstel Arena.