Orlando Pirates youngster Mohau Nkota came off the bench to hand his club a big 1-0 win over MC Alger on Tuesday night.
Nkota had been on the pitch for just five minutes after replacing Kabelo Dlamini in the 60th minute of the encounter.
And it was through a defence-splitting pass by Relebohile Mofokeng that Nkota race through and put the ball into the back of the net.
This was a repeat of the group stage performance between Nkota and Mofokeng on a chilly night in Algeria.
Earlier in the campaign, both Nkota and Mofokeng mesmerised another Algerian club in CR Belouizdad.
The win eases pressure on Pirates ahead of next week’s return leg which will be played at Orlando Stadium.
Pirates went into this encounter as strong favourites to win but an intimidating crowed in Alger somehow unsettled them.
The first half saw Bucs create half goalscoring chances but perhaps the most positive thing was to keep MC Alger at bay.
At that they did brilliantly throughout the game, much to the frustration of MC Alger fans out in the stands and technical team.
STARTING XI’S: ORLANDO PIRATES VS MC ALGER
MC Alger Starting XI: Ramdane, Khelif, Abdellaoui, Ghezala, Halaimia, Benkhemassa, Tabti, Bouras, Zunon, Naidji, Bangoura.
Subs: Bayazifd, Draoui, Mohamed, Mouali, Moussaoui, Hamidi, Menezla, Messoussa.
Pirates Starting XI: Chaine, Van Rooyen, Sibisi, Xoki, Mbokazi, Hotto, Makhaula, Dlamini, Mbatha, Mofokeng, Makgopa.
Subs: Buthelezi, Ndlondlo, Mabasa, Mosele, Maela, Shandu, Nkota, Madiba, Radiopane.
A CHANCE FOR BUCS TO REACH THE SEMIS?
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