Staff Reporter.
Orlando Pirates claimed a 2-0 win over LPRC Oilers in the Caf Confederation Cup game on Sunday at Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Monrovia.
The hosts showed the first promise seven minutes into match when Kelvin Nokuwa closed-in with a low shot from a decent area which goalkeeper Siyabonga Mpontshane gathered.
Pirates did see a bit of the ball in the early stages of the encounter, but they had to wait until the 21st minute for a sight at goal when Terrence Dzvukamanja rattled the upright.
Oilers regained momentum towards halftime and brought Randy Dukuly into space to hit the side-netting from a clever ball as the Buccaneers went to sleep in defence.
Pirates conceded a penalty six minutes before the halftime break after a handball in the 18-yard area. However, Ebenezer Solo was unable to take advantage after firing off target from 12-yards out.
The hosts were made to pay for that miss minutes later as Tshegofatso Mabasa broke the deadlock for Pirates with his third goal of the campaign across all competitions.
The Buccaneers went on to seal the win in second-half stoppage time as Fortune Makaringe nodded a cross from Bongani Sam to put his side in a comfortable position ahead of the second leg next weekend.
Given they will enjoy home advantage next Sunday, Pirates seem virtually certain to reach the group stage for the second successive season in the African equivalent of the Uefa Europa League.
Meanwhile, Marumo Gallants suffered a 0-1 defeat to TP Mazembe after a deflected own goal by Lehlohonolo Nonyane gave the Congolese side an important win in a first leg Caf Confederation Cup home play-off clash on Sunday afternoon.
The Limpopo side conceded the deflating goal at the stroke of halftime to lose a match they had hoped to use as an important cushion ahead of the return leg in South Africa.