Orlando Pirates advanced to the group stages of the CAF Champions League after a dominant 4-0 win over Namibian champions African Stars in the second preliminary round second leg at Orlando Amstel Arena on Friday evening. The result completed a comfortable 5-0 aggregate victory after the Buccaneers had edged the first leg 1-0 away last weekend.

Pirates started with purpose in front of their home supporters and took the lead in the 17th minute. Thapelo Mokobodi got in behind the African Stars defence and finished neatly from a Simphiwe Masilela cross to put the Soweto giants in control. Mokobodi nearly added a second soon after, but his effort from the edge of the box went wide.

African Stars tried to respond with a free-kick outside the area, but it failed to trouble Sipho Chaine in the Pirates goal. The Buccaneers stayed on top and doubled their lead just before half-time. Masilela again provided the pass, releasing Evidence Makgopa through on goal. The forward, making his first start of the season, stayed calm and beat the goalkeeper to make it 2-0 on the night and 3-0 on aggregate.

Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou made changes at the break, bringing on Mpho Padime and others. Padime made an immediate impact, scoring within a minute of the restart after linking well with Makgopa to stretch the lead further. The young forward continued to threaten and came close again, but his shot went narrowly wide.

Pirates kept control of the game and brought on goalkeeper Siyabonga Dladla for his first appearance of the campaign. They sealed the win in the 77th minute when substitute Deon Hotto crossed from the left and Makgopa tapped in to complete his brace. The 4-0 scoreline reflected Pirates’ superiority throughout the contest.

The victory books the Buccaneers a place in the group stages of Africa’s top club competition. It also means Orlando Pirates will be South Africa’s only representatives at that stage after the elimination of Mamelodi Sundowns. The performance showed good attacking options and squad depth under Ouaddou, with Makgopa and the substitutes making a strong impact. Pirates can now look ahead to the group stage draw with confidence after this emphatic home win.

Source: https://x.com/KickOffMagazine/status/2113726059845669267