Orlando Pirates claimed a 1-0 win in the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup clash against Sagrada Esperanca at Luanda-Estadio dos Coqueiros on Tuesday.
The Angolans started the more lively of the two sides and tested the Pirates defence in the first 15 minutes but the travelers did well to keep them at bay.
The Buccaneers found some rhythm as the game wore on and Fortune Makaringe came close to scoring as the home goalkeeper made a good save to deny him on 20 minutes.
Wayne Sandilands was called to action when Sagrada Esperanca threatened to score from a free kick. The goalkeeper pulled off a brilliant save to keep it all square.
Thembinkosi Lorch, Gabadinho Mhango, and Makaringe all had a go at goal before the half-time break, yet the scoreline remained level.
Josef Zinnbauer's charges put the pressure on The Diamonds, as the home team is known, and enjoyed a flurry of chances with Mhango hitting the woodwork, Mundele appealing for a penalty after going down in the box, and Terrence Dvzukamanja sending a ball across the face of goal with no one there to put it away.
Pirates were rewarded for their industry in the 74th minute as Lorch scored the decisive goal for the visitors to give them a vital 1-0 lead.
The Soweto giants held on to their slender advantage and will now take a 1-0 lead into the second leg, which is scheduled for January 6 at Orlando Stadium.
- TEAMtalk media