Cape Town - Orlando Pirates put one foot into the CAF Confederations Cup group stages after seeing off AS Kaloum 2-0 in the first leg of their play-off clash in Mali on Friday evening.
The Buccaneers took a 1-0 lead into half time at the Modibo Keita Stadium thanks to Thamsanqa Gabuza's fifth-minute tap in, while Oupa Manyisa doubled their lead shortly after the restart to gift the Soweto outfit two priceless away goals.
The PSL giants came out the traps flying and stormed into an early lead, Thabo Matlaba and Lehlohonolo Majoro linking up well before the latter squared to Gabuza, who had the simple job of rolling the ball into the empty net.
The Guinea Premier League champions looked to respond but struggled to create any real goal-scoring opportunities against a staunch Pirates defence, while Eric Tinkler's men almost sprung a deadly counter-attack as Majoro latched on to Benson Mhlongo's long pass, only to flash his final effort wide of the post.
Manyisa and Gabuza looked lively in the second period and linked up well to create a really good chance, but the latter was unable to find the target as he lashed a shot wide of the mark.
Manyisa then looked to work something from a free-kick but was unable to trouble the goalkeeper, although the pressure finally took its toll as Pirates got their second, Manyisa thumping home a volley 17 minutes from time to earn the convincing win.
Orlando Pirates starting XI:
Mhlongo, Sangweni, Jele, Nyauza, Matlaba, Sarr, Manyisa, Makola, Myeni, Gabuza, Majoro
Bench: Zikalala, Mahamutsa, Gcaba, Masalesa, Rakhale, K. Masuku, Erasmus