Orlando Pirates suffered a 1-0 defeat to Morena Ramoreboli's Jwaneng Galaxy in their CAF Champions League second preliminary round clash on Sunday afternoon.
CAF Champions League
Result: Jwaneng Galaxy 1-0 Orlando Pirates
Date: 17 September 2023
Venue: Botswana National Stadium
Pirates made wholesale changes from the side that beat Stellenbosch in the MTN8 semi-final first-leg, as the likes of Zakhele Lepasa, Monnapule Saleng and Patrick Maswanganyi were not in the squad.
Instead, the Buccaneers handed new signing Lesedi Kapinga his debut, Marou Souaibou led the attack in a vastly changed line-up while another new recruit Karim Kimvuidi started on the bench.
Galaxy set the tone of the game as they attacked the Buccaneers from the off, with Thabang Sesinyi getting close with a blasting strike that missed wide.
The Soweto giants were up for the challenge as Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo soon forced a save out of goalkeeper Goitseone Phoko.
Although the visitors were enterprising on the ball, they could not create clear chances and were eventually punished on 21 minutes after Daniel Msendami broke the deadlock for Morena Ramoreboli's charges.
The Sea Robbers raised their game and Souaibou had a chance to level matters nine minutes before the interval after a cross by Deon Hotto but he guided his header wide.
Jose Riveiro's men continued to pressurize Galaxy towards the end of the first stanza and the Cameroonian striker had another chance just before the break but headed his effort narrowly wide.
The Buccaneers looked to get back into the game in the second stanza but they could not yet risk going all out, as the home side were a threat on transitions.
Riveiro eventually made a double change on the hour-mark, as Bienvenu Eva Nga replaced his countryman Souaibou up top while Bandile Shandu came on for Thabiso Monyane, both for fresh legs.
Pirates built up good momentum going forward with good passing movement as Kabelo Dlamini had a chance with 15 minutes to go after he fired a shot from the edge of the box but his effort did not trouble Phoko.
Galaxy invited pressure by defending deep and in numbers in the dying minutes but they were able to contain the Buccaneers, who lacked the killer instinct in and around the box as Ramoreboli's men held on for a narrow win.
The Soweto giants will host Galaxy for the second-leg in two weeks' time at Orlando Stadium.
Here's how they lined up:
Orlando Pirates: Ofori, Mthethwa, Xoki, Monyane, Maela, Timm, Ndlondlo, Kapinga, Hotto, Dlamini, Marou
Subs: Buthelezi, Baloni, Shandu, Kimvuidi, Ndah, Makaringe, Eva Nga
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