In a thrilling CAF Champions League showdown at Orlando Stadium, the Orlando Pirates secured a convincing 3-0 victory over Stade d’Abidjan, propelling them to the top of Group C.
This decisive win comes as the competition heats up, with every match crucial in the race for qualification.
A Must-Win Encounter
After slipping out of the qualification zone earlier in the group stage, the pressure was on the Pirates to deliver.
Facing Stade d’Abidjan in Soweto, the stakes were high, and the hosts came prepared to give their all.
The visitors, nicknamed Les Yéyés, hoped to upset the Buccaneers, but the game’s early moments made it clear that Orlando Pirates had other plans.
Early Drama and Wasted Chances
The match began with a scare for the Pirates, as Stade d’Abidjan nearly capitalized on an early chance.
Fortunately for the home side, the attempt went wide, marking one of the few times the Ivorians ventured into Pirates’ territory.
Dominating possession, the Buccaneers created opportunities through Kabelo Dlamini and Relebohile Mofokeng, though neither could find the back of the net initially.
Breaking the Deadlock
The breakthrough finally came in the 22nd minute after a slick passing sequence led to Mohau Nkota bypassing the Abidjan goalkeeper, Drissa Bamba.
Nkota’s quick thinking set up Mofokeng, who calmly slotted the ball into an empty net.
Despite Bamba’s impressive saves afterward, including attempts from Nkota and Tshegofatso Mabasa, the Pirates carried their slim lead into halftime.
A Second-Half Masterclass
Orlando Pirates wasted no time extending their advantage after the break.
Just five minutes in, Maswanganyi displayed remarkable skill, breaking free from his defender and placing a perfectly executed shot beyond Bamba’s reach.
While Stade d’Abidjan tried to push forward, they rarely tested Sipho Chaine, the Pirates’ goalkeeper.
Sealing the Deal
The third goal came courtesy of Deon Hotto’s brilliant solo effort.
Intercepting the ball at midfield, Hotto surged forward, evading defenders before calmly finishing past Bamba.
With just four minutes left on the clock, this goal solidified the Pirates’ dominance and extinguished any hopes of a comeback for the visitors.
Managing the Game
With a comfortable lead, the Buccaneers focused on controlling the remainder of the match, a task they executed with ease.
Their disciplined performance ensured the Ivorians had no opportunity to recover, leaving Orlando Pirates with a crucial victory that puts them a point ahead of Al Ahly and two behind CR Belouizdad in Group C.
Squad Lineup and Substitutions
The starting lineup for the Pirates included Chaine, Sesane, Sibisi, Van Rooyen, Hotto, Makhaula, Dlamini, Nkota, Maswanganyi, Mofokeng, and Mabasa.
Key substitutions saw Monyane, Rasebotja, Mako, Tshobeni, and Radiopane join the action in the second half, contributing to a well-rounded team effort.
What’s Next?
With two group games remaining, the Pirates are in a strong position but cannot afford to relax.
Fans can follow the latest updates and analyses on the CAF Champions League by visiting dedicated sports sections online, ensuring they don’t miss a moment of the action as the race for qualification intensifies.