[ad_1]
Sagrada Esperanca 0-1 Orlando Pirates: Lorch inspires Bucs to win Caf Confederation Cup
The Soweto giants will maintain a slight advantage heading into the second leg thanks to a goal from international Bafana Bafana
Orlando Pirates clinched a 1-0 victory over Sagrada Esperanca in the first-round first-round match of the Caf Confederation Cup at the Estadio Municipal dos Coqueiros on Tuesday afternoon.
Thembinkosi Lorch was the Buccaneers’ hero when he scored a late goal that earned the team a close victory over the Diamonds in the Angolan capital Luanda.
The Buccaneers were hoping to score a major away win against the former Angolan champions after defeating Chippa United 1-0 in a PSL game over the weekend.
Coach Josef Zinnbauer made seven changes to the team that faced Chippa with left-back Bongani Sam surprisingly deployed in central defense, while Wayne Sandilands started in goal.
Meanwhile, the Diamonds were playing their first competitive match since March 2020 when they suffered a 1-0 loss to Progresso in an Angolan first division league game (Girabola).
Esperanca’s Brazilian coach Rui Oliveira was looking to plot a surprise victory over the 1995 African champions with Nigerian forward Joseph Femi Olatubosun leading his attack.
The pirates saw most of the ball in the early stages of the match with Fortune Makaringe pulling the strings from midfield for the visitors.
The 27-year-old, who likes to overtake from midfield, had a chance to score, but was denied by Esperanca Landu’s goalkeeper.
The Diamonds grew in confidence towards the half hour mark and began to pressure the Buccaneers as they sought to break the deadlock.
The pressure mounted on the Bucs defense, who saw Sam being booked after making a hard tackle, before fellow central defender Ntsikelelo Nyazua conceded a free kick near the box.
However, Sandilands made a good save to deny the hosts the set piece and his save ensured that the first half ended with the two teams tied 0-0.
Zinnbauer introduced Jean-Marc Makusu before the start of the second half with the Democratic Republic of Congo international making his official debut with the Pirates.
The Buccaneers took an offensive approach in the second half when forward Makusu replaced midfielder Linda Mntambo and the Soweto giants were able to create chances.
Frank Mhango’s free-kick hit the wood and Terrence Dvzukamanja’s shot went through the mouth of the goal, but there was no one to connect.
However, Bucs got the goal he was looking for when Lorch edged past Landu to make it 1-0 to the visitors with 16 minutes remaining.
The Soweto giants were able to hold off the Diamonds until the match referee blew the final whistle and the Pirates emerged 1-0 winners that day.
The two teams will meet again in the second leg in South Africa on January 6, but before that, the Pirates are scheduled to face Mamelodi Sundowns in a PSL game on January 2.
