Mabasa and Hotto help Pirates get win over Galaxy in Caf Champions League

Published on by Willis Sob

Tshegofatso Mabasa and Deon Hotto strikes were what Orlando Pirates needed to claim a first leg 2-0 win over away at Jwaneng Galaxy in the second preliminary round of the Caf Champions League game staged at the National Stadium in Gaborone, Botswana.

The Buccaneers fell by a solitary goal the last time they played the Batswana champions at the same venue, and were keen not to register the same result against their hosts.

Despite a good start from Galaxy, it was the visitors who looked dangerous especially when in the final third. However, inside the first 20 minutes, there was no team that had managed to create a clear scoring opportunity as defenders cleared every dangerous ball in their zone.

After Monnapule Saleng and Relebohile Mofokeng's threats in the Galaxy area, the home fans almost had something to celebrate in the 28th minute, but the unmarked Omaatla Kebatho couldn't guide his head on target.

Mabasa delivers for Buccaneers 

The dangerous Tshegofatso Mabasa could have done better in the 30th minute, but his tame effort was stopped by the defenders.

Bucs won a free-kick in the 33rd minute 35 yards from the goal after a foul by the opponents. However, Mofokeng failed to deliver as anticipated, and the South Africans missed the chance to open the scoring. 

Goalkeeper Goitseone Phoko had to be alert in the 38th minute to deny Saleng who had taken a direct hit from a free-kick in a good area. 

When it looked like the first half would end goalless, Mabasa had a different idea. In the second minute of added time, a miskick by Galaxy defender ended with the ball on Pirates striker's path and the 2023/24 Golden Boot winner took the keeper by surprise with a half-volley that ended in the back of the net to ensure his team went to the break with a 1-0 lead.

Pirates complete the first Galaxy task

Lively Mofokeng could have done better when he raced clear down the left flank in the 50th minute but the Bafana Bafana international just found the side of the net.

Three minutes later, Sipho Chaine had to be at his best to stop Gilbert Baruti's rocket from bringing the game to level terms. The ball went out for an unfruitful corner.

In the 77th minute, Deon Hotto put the game to bed with a cool finish to give the in-form Soweto Giants a healthy win. 

Pirates will now be aiming at completing the job at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday, September 21, but before then, they will play Chippa United in the Premier Soccer League outing on Wednesday. 

Pirates have now gone six matches without tasting defeat in the new campaign. 

Mabasa and Hotto help Pirates get win over Galaxy in Caf Champions League

Willis Sob

Willis Sob is an experienced journalist who has been in the game since 2009, covering major assignments around the continent.
His hunger for African football is unmatched, always getting the best angles and facts to feed the fans and quench their thirst.