SOUTH Africa’s three biggest football clubs experienced contrasting fortunes in continental competition over the weekend, with Orlando Pirates securing a first-leg advantage, Mamelodi Sundowns being held in Angola and Kaizer Chiefs suffering a setback in Zambia.

All three will have another opportunity to settle their respective ties in the return legs, but they head into those matches with very different tasks.

The Buccaneers dominated much of the attacking play but had to remain patient against opponents who proved difficult to break down.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 75th minute when Tshepang Moremi found the net to hand the Soweto side a narrow lead.

Pirates held on under late pressure to secure the victory and put themselves in a favourable position ahead of the return leg.

The challenge now is to finish the job at home and avoid allowing African Stars back into the tie.

The Brazilians were unable to find the breakthrough in Lubango, leaving the contest finely balanced ahead of the return match.

While the draw leaves Sundowns firmly in contention, they will need to turn their attacking opportunities into goals if they are to progress.

Of course, playing the decisive leg at home gives them an opportunity to take control of the tie, but Wiliete have already shown that they cannot simply be written off.

The defeat leaves Amakhosi needing a response in the return leg after failing to secure a positive result away from home.

Red Arrows took the lead through Alassane Diarra in the 76th minute, leaving Chiefs with a deficit to overturn.

The Soweto club must now find a way to break down their opponents while keeping the Zambian side from adding to their advantage.

With qualification still within reach, the return leg becomes a test of Chiefs’ ability to respond under pressure.

Which leads us to three key factors that could help the South African teams decide the return legs in their favour.

Their defensive organisation was a positive, but converting chances early could prevent African Stars from growing in confidence. 

Ouaddou has also warned his players against complacency. 

A potentially bigger concern is the fitness of Teboho Mokoena, who was forced off with an injury in the first half. His availability could be significant for a side seeking to control the midfield and dictate the return leg. 

The coach believes his team can overturn the deficit, but that will require more urgency in attack and greater concentration at set pieces. Red Arrows have a lead to protect, so Chiefs must find a way to turn possession into genuine goal-scoring opportunities.