Orlando Pirates cruise past African Stars to reach CAF Champions League group stages

Orlando Pirates secured their place in the CAF Champions League group stages with a 4-0 victory over African Stars on Friday night, completing a 5-0 aggregate win in the second preliminary round.

Thapelo Mokobodi opened the scoring after 17 minutes before Evidence Makgopa struck just before half-time. Mpho Padime added a third shortly after the restart, and Makgopa completed the scoring with his second goal 13 minutes from time.

Makgopa made his first start of the season for the Buccaneers, with Yanela Mbuthuma dropping to the bench after starting in last week’s 1-0 win in Botswana. Oswin Appollis was absent from the squad because of injury.

Pirates began with purpose and took an early advantage when Masilela collected a ball over the top before supplying midfield partner Mokobodi. The midfielder finished from close range, with the goal putting the hosts 2-0 ahead on aggregate.

The home side continued to control possession and moved the ball confidently. Mokobodi almost doubled his tally midway through the opening half when he tried to catch the African Stars goalkeeper off his line with a well-struck effort, but the shot went just wide.

African Stars struggled to regain possession for much of the first half, leaving Pirates firmly in control. Sipho Chaine had little to do in the Buccaneers’ goal during the opening 45 minutes.

Pirates extended their lead immediately before the interval. Masilela once again provided the assist, sending Makgopa through on goal, and the Bafana Bafana striker kept his composure to score from close range.

With his side 3-0 ahead on aggregate, head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou made three changes at the beginning of the second half. Mpho Padime, Kabelo Kgositsile and Deon Hotto replaced Tshepang Moremi, Thalenthe Mbatha and Nkosikhona Ndaba.

The substitutions did not alter the pattern of the game, and Padime marked his competition debut for the campaign by finishing a well-worked move to put the result beyond doubt.

Padime continued to threaten as he searched for another goal, but the young forward was denied twice by the African Stars goalkeeper.

Makgopa completed his brace with 13 minutes remaining, strengthening his case to become Ouaddou’s preferred striker ahead of Mbuthuma and Boitumelo Radiopane.

Orlando Pirates team

Sipho Chaine, Zulu, Seema, Sigomoshe, Nkosikhona Ndaba, Thalenthe Mbatha, Selepe, Thapelo Mokobodi, Masilela, Tshepang Moremi, Evidence Makgopa.

Substitutes: Dladla, Derbyshire, Deon Hotto, Mthiyane, Dansin, Mpho Padime, Kabelo Kgositsile, Lungu, Yanela Mbuthuma.