Orlando Pirates Dominate Lioli FC 3-0 in CAF Champions League Preliminary Round Mabasa Shines as Orlando Pirates Crush Lioli FC in CAF Champions League Opener In a commanding display of attacking football, Orlando Pirates secured a resounding 3-0 victory over Lioli FC of Lesotho in the first leg of their CAF Champions League preliminary round clash. The match, held at the Free State Stadium on Saturday, saw the Buccaneers take a massive step toward advancing to the next stage of Africa’s premier club competition. Match Highlights: Pirates in Control from the Start From the opening whistle, Orlando Pirates asserted their dominance, controlling possession and creating numerous scoring opportunities. Thalente Mbatha came close to breaking the deadlock in just the fifth minute, firing narrowly wide from outside the box. The early pressure set the tone for what would become a one-sided affair. Lioli FC, perhaps aware of the gulf in quality, opted for a defensive approach, sitting deep and attempting to hit Pirates on the counter. However, the Buccaneers’ organized midfield and defensive discipline snuffed out any potential threats, limiting the hosts to half-chances. First Half: Missed Opportunities and Growing Pressure Despite their control, Pirates struggled to convert chances in the first half. Oswin Appollis was guilty of a glaring miss in the 20th minute after being set up by the inventive Relebohile Mofokeng. The Bafana Bafana winger seemed certain to score but dragged his shot wide from close range. Lioli’s best opportunity came shortly after, when Litsepe Marabe found space on the left flank. However, the winger rushed his effort, producing a weak shot that failed to test Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine. As the half wore on, Pirates continued to probe, with Mbatha hitting the side netting just before the break. Despite their dominance, the teams went into halftime locked at 0-0, leaving Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou with plenty to ponder. Second Half: Mabasa Steps Up Ouaddou’s halftime changes proved inspired. Introducing Tshepang Moremi and Cemran Darsin injected fresh energy and pace into the Pirates attack. The impact was almost immediate. Just eight minutes into the second half, Tshegofatso Mabasa broke the deadlock with a powerful header from a perfectly delivered Deon Hotto corner. The goal settled any nerves and opened the floodgates for the visitors. Mabasa wasn’t done yet. Four minutes later, he latched onto a perfectly weighted through ball from Mofokeng and smashed home his second of the afternoon, sending the traveling Pirates fans into delirium. The striker came close to completing a memorable hat-trick in the 62nd minute but headed over from another dangerous Moremi cross. It was a rare miss on a day where everything seemed to go right for the Buccaneers. Appollis Seals the Victory With the result beyond doubt, Oswin Appollis put the icing on the cake deep into stoppage time, finishing clinically from another Moremi assist. The goal capped off a thoroughly professional performance from the South African giants. What This Means for the Second Leg With a 3-0 advantage, Orlando Pirates are now heavy favorites to progress to the next round of the CAF Champions League. The second leg will be played at Orlando Stadium next Saturday, where Pirates will look to finish the job in front of their home supporters. For Lioli FC, the task is monumental. Needing to win by at least four goals to advance, the Lesotho champions face a near-impossible challenge against one of South Africa’s most in-form teams. Key Takeaways Tshegofatso Mabasa’s Form: The striker’s brace underlined his importance to the Pirates attack. His movement, aerial ability, and finishing were on full display, making him a constant threat throughout the match. Midfield Dominance: Pirates controlled the tempo of the game through their midfield trio, limiting Lioli’s opportunities and launching attacks with precision and purpose. Defensive Solidity: Despite Lioli’s occasional forays forward, Pirates’ backline remained organized and untroubled for large periods, recording a clean sheet away from home. Looking Ahead Orlando Pirates will be brimming with confidence as they return to domestic action before the second leg. With momentum on their side and a healthy advantage, they are well-positioned to advance in the CAF Champions League and make a statement on the continental stage. For now, Buccaneers fans can celebrate a job well done—and look forward to more excitement when the team returns to Orlando next weekend.
2025-09-20