Mabasa's brace powers Pirates to win over Lioli

Tshegofatso Mabasa showed why he's still so crucial in Orlando Pirates' attack after scoring a brace as Bucs beat Lioli FC of Lesotho 3-0 in the first leg of the preliminary round of the Caf Champions League yesterday.

Bafana Bafana winger Oswin Appollis completed the rout in referee's optional time after combining with substitute Tshepang Moremi. 

Lioli hosted the match at the Free State Stadium due to Lesotho not having a stadium approved by Caf to handle interclub games on the continent.

Pirates, who reached the semifinals of this competition last season, started slowly and only made an impact in the second half when Mabasa scored both his goals.

The side applying the pressure, it looked easy for Pirates when Mabasa opened the scoring in the 53rd minute, heading in Deon Hotto's corner kick. The goal was as a result of poor marking by the Lesotho side. 

The gangly striker completed his brace four minutes later after latching on to a delightful Relebohile Mofokeng pass after a good build-up by the visitors. From then on Pirates just had to manage the game playing against a side which hardly posed any threat to their goals.

Pirates will go to the second leg in Orlando next Saturday with a huge advantage and a big chance to qualify for the first round. Pirates have won the Champions League once in 1995. 

Meanwhile, Kaizer Chiefs have a mountain to climb in the second leg of the Caf Confederation Cup preliminary round after suffering a 1-0 defeat to Angolan club Kabuscorp in the first leg played at the November 11 Stadium in Luanda, Angola last night.

Julio scored with his first touch after coming on as a substitute just before the hour mark, the striker's glancing header beating Chiefs goalkeeper Brandon Petersen after Aden McCarthy and Paseko Mako allowed him  to connect freely with Mafuta's cross.

Kabuscorp are making their debut in the Confederation Cup after appearing once in 2014 in the Caf Champions League after winning the league title in Angola.

The home side dominated much of this match, but Chiefs were unlucky not to steal a point after Thabo Cele's strike hit the upright a few minutes after Julio had scored.