Orlando Pirates eased into the Caf Champions League play-off round with a dominant 4-0 win over Disciples in their first preliminary round clash at Orlando Stadium on Friday night.
The tie ended with Pirates easily advancing by the same scoreline on aggregate after a scoreless opening leg in Mauritius last week.
Eager to avoid an early exit after the men from Antsirabé had given a good account of themselves on home soil, the hosts were quick to gel in front of their home crowd.
They nearly found themselves in front just three minutes in when Tshegofatso Mabasa breached the Disciples defence, only to be flagged offside.
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Early strike
The wait for the opener only lasted a further six minutes, with the reigning PSL Golden Boot winner forcing an own goal from defender Andoniaina with a fine finish as he volleyed from just inside the penalty area to edge the hosts ahead.
The striker along with Thabiso Monyane had opportunities to double the Bucs’ lead inside the first quarter but neither could find a way past goalkeeper Harrison Razanajoana.
Pirates were, however, two-goals ahead soon after as Relebohile Mofokeng linked up with Patrick Maswanganyi before producing a neat finish to make it 2-0.
This was followed by another strike just five minutes later, this time from the boot of Maswanganyi who turned from provider to scorer with a well-taken curler from range which beat the outstretched Razanajoana for the hosts’ third.
Cruising with a comfortable lead heading into the break, Pirates had opportunities denied by the Disciples shot-stopper as well as the offside flag with Monnapule Saleng flagged offside before brushing the outer part of the net with an effort from a set piece.
Pirates faced a determined effort from the Islanders after the restart, but remained resolute as goalkeeper Sipho Chaine was left untroubled. Mabasa and Saleng each found the net midway through the second half, but it was the referee’s assistant who had the final say on both occasions as he flagged offside.
That happened to be the theme for much of the second period, with Saleng denied for the third time in the game late in the contest as he got on the end of a ball from deep before being adjudged offside.
Pirates’ fourth of the evening eventually came deep in injury time as replacement midfielder Karim Kimvuidi’s attempt laying an assist for Evidence Makgopa ricocheted back to the Congolese playmaker, who made no mistake in sending the ball past Razanajoana.
That rounded off an emphatic display for the Soweto Giants, who set up a date with one of African Stars and Jwaneng Galaxy with a place in the group stage at stake.
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