Orlando Pirates moved top of Group C after defeating Stade d'Abidjan 3-0 in CAF Champions League action on Saturday evening.
CAF Champions League
Result: Orlando Pirates 3-0 Stade Abidjan
Date: 04 January 2025
Venue: Orlando Stadium
Pirates made three changes following their narrow win over Magesi, as they recalled Patrick Maswanganyi, Deon Hotto and Tshegofatso Mabasa.
The Buccaneers had a bright start as Hotto came close to giving them an early lead after going through in the box but guided a diagonal shot wide of the gaping goals, one-on-one with goalkeeper Drissa Bamba.
The Soweto giants were impressive with their combination play going forward as midway through the first stanza, Relebohile Mofokeng eventually broke the deadlock with an easy tap-in after a cut-back by Mohau Nkota eliminated Bamba in the six-yard box.
Stade d'Abidjan only threatened in front of goal on a counter-attack on the half-hour mark after Saint-Jean Koré guided a header in the box just over the crossbar from a cross by Mansou Kouakou.
Jose Riveiro's charges slowed down the tempo of their game towards the end of the first stanza, as the visitors were fired up but the Ivorian side lacked the final pass in the last third.
The hosts had a perfect start in the second stanza as five minutes in Maswanganyi doubled their lead with a right-footed shot into the bottom corner after he dribbled his way through on goal.
Spaces continued to open up for Pirates as on 64 minutes Maswanganyi should have made it 3-0 after a cut-back by Nkota found him unmarked in the box but his first-time shot sailed over the crossbar.
Stade d'Abidjan showed glimpses of at least getting a goal back and with 17 minutes remaining, Kassoum Koné had a chance with a free header in the box that went wide.
Riveiro, with ten minutes to go, rested Maswanganyi and Mabasa as Azola Tshobeni and Boitumelo Radiopane were given a run.
The visitors committed numbers going forward and were caught on a counter-attack in the dying minutes as Hotto made it 3-0 for Pirates with a low strike past Bamba after he raced clear on goal.
The Buccaneers jumped above Al Ahly at the top of the group by one point.
Here's how they lined up:
Orlando Pirates: Chaine, Van Rooyen, Sibisi, Sesane, Mofokeng, Hotto, Makhaula, Maswanganyi, Dlamini, Mabasa, Nkota
Subs: Buthelezi, Xoki, Monyane, Mako, Rasebotja, Moleleki, Tshobeni, Radiopane, Makgopa.
