Tshepang Moremi fires Orlando Pirates to narrow advantage over African Stars

Tshepang Moremi proved to be the difference-maker, scoring in the 75th minute to hand the Buccaneers a slender advantage ahead of next week's return leg at Orlando Amstel Arena.

The Soweto giants dominated large spells of the encounter and created several scoring opportunities, but had to wait until the closing stages to break down the Namibian outfit's resistance.

Pirates started brightly and threatened to take an early lead in the 15th minute when Simphiwe Masilela's corner found Gamphani Lungu, whose diving header narrowly missed the target.

The Buccaneers continued to push forward, with Moremi playing a key role in their attacking moves. A well-weighted pass from the winger found striker Yanela Mbuthuma, but African Stars goalkeeper Mervin Kasetura reacted quickly to deny him.

Masilela got an opportunity around the half-hour mark after making a run into the box, but the referee waved play on following a challenge from behind.

African Stars gradually grew into the contest and managed to threaten the Pirates goal, only for Bucs goalkeeper Sipho Chaine to remain alert and keep the hosts at bay.

Lungu came close to breaking the deadlock before the interval, but his header sailed narrowly over the crossbar.

Pirates maintained their attacking approach after the restart, with Moremi and Mbuthuma continuing to trouble the African Stars defence. However, captain Himeekua Ketjijere and his defensive colleagues managed to clear the danger.

In the 57th minute Mbuthuma subsequently missed another opportunity after finding himself one-on-one with Kasetura but failed to get a shot away.

As the match passed the hour mark, African Stars struggled to find a way past the Buccaneers' defence, with the home side attackers Paulus Gideon, Rufus Sackie Jr and Ronaldo Kamatuka unable to make a decisive impact.

Pirates eventually got their breakthrough in the 75th minute when Moremi found the back of the net to reward their persistence.

African Stars pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but the Buccaneers remained resolute defensively to protect their lead until the final whistle.

Pirates will now look to finish the job in front of their home supporters next week, knowing that victory or a draw in the return leg will secure their progression to the group stages.

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