Pirates sink Lioli to march into CAF Champions League next round

Orlando Pirates booked their spot in the next round of the CAF Champions League after thrashing
Lesotho’s Lioli FC 4-0 on Saturday afternoon, sealing a commanding 7-0 aggregate victory.

The Buccaneers made several changes from their midweek triumph over Siwelele FC, with Tshepang
Moremi, Sipho Mbule, Oswin Appollis, and Evidence Makgopa recalled to the starting line-up.

Mbule nearly broke the deadlock early on with a header from a corner, but his attempt sailed over the
crossbar. Despite Pirates’ dominance, Lioli showed some intent, managing to push forward and send
testing deliveries into the box, though without success.

The Soweto giants squandered a golden chance ten minutes before the break when Appollis dragged his
effort wide after being picked out by Kamogelo Sebelebele’s clever cutback.

Pirates finally made their pressure count on the stroke of halftime with Moremi stepping up with a
sublime free-kick from the edge of the area that curled into the far corner, leaving Lioli goalkeeper
William Huni stranded.

Moremi struck again straight after the restart, this time pouncing at the far post with a looping effort
that doubled the Buccaneers’ advantage.

Goalkeeper Melusi Buthelezi got his first minutes of the season shortly afterwards in place of Sipho
Chaine. The hosts, however, kept their foot on the pedal and stretched their lead midway through the
half.

Mbuthuma added his name to the scoresheet, arriving unmarked in the box to tap in Thabiso Lebitso’s
delivery. A minute later, the forward completed his brace as he capitalised on a defensive lapse to slot
home his second and complete the rout.