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Pirates thrash TP Mazembe

Orlando - A Collins Mbesuma brace including a penalty in injury time helped Orlando Pirates to a 3-1 win over TP Mazembe FC in their African Champions league round of 16 first leg match at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.

Pirates were spoilt for chances on the night, but were far from clinical in front of goal. The visitors meanwhile, converted one of their two good chances to get a valuable away goal.

Pirates were particularly ruthless in the first period, slicing up the four-time African Champions' at will.

Pirates took the lead in the second minute through Oyekachi Okonkwo only to see their advantage wiped out a minute before the break by Patou Kabangu for Mazembe.

The home side got their second through Mbesuma in the 56th minute.

The victory was only sealed much later, with Mbesuma brought down in the area after time was up on the clock by Mazembe keeper Muteba Kidiaba, with the Zambian making no mistake with his spot kick to push Pirates to the valuable 3-1 win.

Mazembe will host the second leg on May 4 with the venue still to be confirmed.

Pirates began the match with purpose and were soon rewarded for their strong start. hitting the lead in the second minute through a breathtaking strike from Okonkwo.

Okonkwo latched onto the ball 30 metres out and his first time shot rocketed into the top right corner of the net to give Pirates a 1-0 lead.

Six minutes later, Mazembe had their first shot at goal. Mbawana Samatta headed a decent effort from close range, but the ball just looped over the crossbar.

Pirates should have doubled their lead on the 10 minute mark. Mbesuma ran into the box with just Kidiaba to beat, but the Zambian striker fired the ball straight at the gloveman.

Khethowakhe Masuku, following his involvement in a free kick five minutes before, was involved again in the 25th minute. The player was left with a one-on-one situation with the keeper, but decided to cross and the danger was cleared.

In the 35th minute Pirates could have doubled their lead once again. A shot from edge of area by Tlou Segolela was blocked by Kidiaba, Ayanda Gcaba snapped up the rebound but fired the ball straight at Kidiaba.

A minute before the break, Mazembe were lethal with one of their few attacks in the first period and levelled the scores.

Some poor defending by the hosts allowed a Mbawana Samatta header to bounce across goal, and Kabangu tapped in to an open goal to make it 1-1.

In the 55th min Samatta had another chance and his header without a defender near him, but a minute later, the home side regained the lead.

Mbesuma, from close range, knocked the ball into an open goal after pin-point cross from Masuku as Pirates moved into a 2-1 lead.

Mbesuma then got an important third goal for the hosts through a penalty in injury time to wrap up the match.

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