Orlando Pirates enjoyed a winning start in the CAF Champions League group stages after defeating CR Belouizdad 2-1 on Tuesday night.
CAF Champions League
Result: CR Belouizdad 1-2 Orlando Pirates
Date: 26 November 2024
Venue: Stade du Juillet 1962
The Buccaneers were unchanged from the win over Richards Bay before the international break, as the young Mohau Nkota got his first taste of continental football.
Nkota made the perfect impact on his Champions League debut as he opened the scoring for the away side after just five minutes by finishing off a swift counter-attack with a composed finish in the box.
It was end-to-end affair in the first half, as Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine pulled off a superb double save after 15 minutes before Patrick Maswanganyi was denied by the CR Belouizdad shot-stopper Moustapha Zeghba at the other end.
However, Zeghba was picking the ball out of his net on 25 minutes when Nkota got his and Pirates' second goal with a superb long-range effort that sailed into the top corner, taking his tally to four goals across all competitions.
The hosts were forced to make a change ten minutes before the break as Talal Boussouf had to be withdrawn, with head coach Abdelkader Amrani introducing Khanyisa Mayo.
The Algerian outfit dominated after the resumption, looking to find their way back as Mayo was presented with a chance on the edge of the box but he blazed over the target.
Belouizdad's pressure eventually paid off in the 66th minute when Mayo rose highest to head home a cross from Abderrahmane Maziane to secure his first-ever goal in Africa's premier club competition.
Buccaneers coach Jose Riveiro responded with a double change for the final 15 minutes of the gam, as Kabelo Dlamini replaced Thalente Mbatha in midfield while Deano van Rooyen returned to action in place of Thabiso Monyane.
The Algerian giants pushed for the equaliser in the final 20 minutes, but the Soweto giants remained resolute at the back and held on for maximum points on the road.
Here's how they lined up:
Orlando Pirates: Chaine, Monyane, Sibisi, Sesane, Hotto, Makhaula, Mbatha, Mofokeng, Nkota, Maswanganyi, Magkopa
Subs: Buthelezi, Timm, Dlamini, Maela, Kimvuidi, Mako, Van Rooyen, Rasebotja, Mabasa.
