Orlando Pirates secured a 2-0 victory over Al Ahli Tripoli in the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup semi-final on Sunday evening.
The Buccaneers made two changes from Monday's loss to TS Galaxy, which saw Ben Motshwari and Kwame Peprah come in for Linda Mntambo and Terrence Dzvukamanja respectively.
Pirates made the perfect start eight minutes in after Innocent Maela pounced onto a spill by Muhammad Nashnoush following a corner-kick and nodded in from point-blank range.
Tripoli were rattled by the Buccaneers fast start, and struggled to contain the South Africans during the opening stages particularly Thembinkosi Lorch and a smart attempt by Goodman Mosele.
In all that, the Buccaneers bagged a second goal before the half-hour mark when Mosele made a late run in the area and volleyed in a speculative cross from the right.
Ahli Tripoli looked to refresh their approach four minutes before halftime and instituted a substitution in Saleh Tader, who replaced Muayid Jaddour.
The Bucaneers could've had a third goal seconds to the interval, but Nashnoush thwarted an effort from Deon Hotto following a smart ball into the six-yard area.
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Ahli Tripoli continued to struggle early in the second half and presented the Buccaneers more opportunities in the last third though Hotto and Lorch missed.
Ghanaian Peprah was also given a route in just over ten minutes in the second half as he brought a ball from Mosele under control around the area only to shoot tamely at their opposite number.
There were a brief stoppage later on due to a floodlight malfunction right before substitute Siphesihle Ndlovu ran clear following a through pass and fired wide of the near corner.
The floodlights continued to cause problems well towards fulltime, but the Buccaneers weren't bothered but stayed calm and picked up the win ahead of the return-leg next weekend.
Confirmed line-ups:
Pirates: Ofori, Jele, Nyauza, Maela, Shandu, Mosele, Motshwari, Mabaso, Hotto, Peprah, Lorch
Subs: Mpontshane, Hlatshwayo, Makaringe, Makhubela, Dlamini, Sam, Ndlovu, Dzvukamanja, Lepasa.