Bucs saunter to 3-1 victory

Tshepo Ntsoelengoe

Orlando Pirates got back to winning ways during their return leg fixture against Light Stars FC in the Caf Champions League preliminary round, winning 8-2 on aggregate at the Amitie Stadium in Seychelles yesterday.

The Buccaneers won the first leg 5-1 at home before sealing their way to the next round of the competition with a 3-1 win in the second leg.

The victory should be pleasing for coach Micho Sredojevic, who was left disappointed after his side played to a goalless draw in their league fixture against Maritzburg United last weekend.

Bucs midfielder Linda Mntambo was again on the scoresheet, giving the visitors an 11th-minute lead after being set up by Kudakwashe Mahachi, after scoring in the first leg.

That was the only goal in the first stanza, as both teams failed to create real chances.

On the hour mark, striker Thamsanqa Gabuza (above) got Bucs’ second goal, having returned to the team following his dramatic walkout during the team’s 2-1 victory over Black Leopards in a league tie in August.

Nine minutes later, he almost got his second goal of the match after Stars keeper fumbled the striker’s shot, which fell in the way of Abel Mabaso and the defender made no mistake, slotting the ball into the back of the net to make it 3-0 for Pirates.

The home side finally got the break they had been looking for, with a consolation goal from a corner kick in the 85th minute.

But it was too late for Stars, and Sredojevic’s team walked away as 3-1 winners.