Pirates begin Caf Confederation Cup campaign on winning note

Skipper Happy Jele scored after only two minutes and Bandile Shandu added one more in the second half as Orlando Pirates began their Caf Confederation Cup campaign on a winning note with a 2-0 triumph over dangerous Algerian opponent JS Saoura on Sunday night at Orlando Stadium in Soweto.

Jele continued his knack for finding goals from set pieces — he now has 19 in his Pirates career — as he reacted quickest to a rebound in the area to slot home from close range.

Thembinkosi Lorch’s free kick was met at the back post by Goodman Mosele, who evaded both the visiting defence and offside flag to get a touch to the ball at full stretch.

It forced a save out of goalkeeper Zakaria Saidi, but he could only parry the ball and the 35-year-old Jele was first to react to put it into the net. 

Pirates had already escaped inside the opening minute when a run from Mohamed Hammia down the flank produced a cross that Abdeldjaid Saad hit goalwards, but without too much force. Fortunately for the hosts, it went straight to goalkeeper Siyabonga Mpontshane.

He also made a good save midway through the half from JS Saoura’s danger man Belaid Hamidi, who hit a volleyed effort on target but saw the Bucs goalie push it around the corner.

Pirates were best when they put pace into their build-ups, which were ponderous at times with too many touches, but when they played with one touch, getting the ball quickly up field, they looked dangerous.

The second goal came in the 66th minute after a poor clearance from goalkeeper Saidi was picked up by the industrious Mosele, who fed Lorch. He, in turn, found Deon Hotto out wide and it was the square pass from the Namibian that Shandu got to for his third goal in Pirates’ colours this season.

Pirates will be pleased with their start to a competition where the open field means they are one of the favourites to lift the title.

Pirates have reached the final of the competition before, in 2015, and last season were knocked out at the quarterfinal stage by eventual winners Raja Casablanca of Morocco.