CAF Confederation Cup
Result: Orlando Pirates 2-1 Enyimba
Date: 17 March 2021
Venue: Orlando Stadium
Orlando Pirates got off the mark in the CAF Confederation Cup group stages with a 2-1 victory over Enyimba on Wednesday evening.
Click through the gallery above to see images from Pirates' win over Enyimba.
Pirates goalkeeper Richard Ofori and Happy Jele missed out through injury as Siyabonga Mpontshane and Ntsikelelo Nyauza were recalled by Josef Zinnbauer.
The Buccaneers took time to settle but once they got going, they cause problems as Linda Mntambo came the closest to breaking the deadlock in the 24th minute after pouncing on a defensive error but his strike sailed over the bar.
Hotto gave Josef Zinnbauer's charges the lead three minutes later with a backheel from close range after he was setup by Mntambo, who capitalised on a poor clearance by goalkeeper John Noble.
Enyimba won a penalty on the stroke of halftime after Mpontshane was judged to have brought down Anayo Iwuala in the box, which allowed Augustine Oladapo to level matters for the Nigerian giants.
Zinnbauer's troops were fired up after the break as Pule came close to restoring their lead ten minutes inside the second stanza with a strike inside the box that was saved by Noble.
Pirates had a big chance to go ahead in the last quarter of an hour with a penalty awarded in their favour after Gabadinho Mhango, who had just come on, was fouled inside the box but fellow second-half substitute Tshegofatso Mabasa could not capitalise from the spot-kick, as he struck his shot over the bar.
Mabasa made amends in the last minute as he snatched the winner for the Buccaneers with a header at the near post from a corner to send the Soweto giants top of Group A.
Pirates XI: Mpontshane, Hlatshwayo, Maela, Nyauza, Mako, Monare, Motshwari, Makaringe, Pule, Hotto, Mntambo
Subs: Sandilands, Dzvukamanja, Dlamini, Jooste, Mabaso, Mabasa, Mhango
9 Players Pirates Need To Decide On:
