Orlando Pirates got off to a winning start in the CAF Confederation Cup group stages with a 2-0 victory over JS Saoura on Sunday evening.
There were no new entries from the Buccaneers line-up following last Sunday's Nedbank Cup win over AmaZulu showed, as their group stage journey on the continent commenced.
After an uncomfortable start, the Buccaneers got the breakthrough when captain Happy Jele turned home a loose ball on three minutes following a snap attempt by Goodman Mosele.
Saoura weren't bothered by the set-back and could have been level on 16 minutes through a half-volley outside the area by Belaid Hamidi, but goalkeeper Siyabonga Mpontshane showed sharp reflexes.
This was minutes before Hamidi curled a free-kick from a tight angle around the area onto the top of the net as the Buccaneers struggled to coordinate their defensive lines.
Pirates sustained momentum closer to the break and got chances which Kwame Peprah and Ntsako Makhubela didn't utilise, as bright moments from the visitors showed too.
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The Sea Robbers got off to a patient start to the second period, as balls to Bandile Shandu and Peprah required the North Africans to track the runs in and around their defensive area.
As the Buccaneers showed dominance, Saoura were granted a few promising opportunities to draw level but Mohamed El Amine Hammia wasn't able to pounce.
Pirates threw on a double substitution on 60 minutes following the spell of pressure, with Abel Mabaso in for Makhubela and Thabang Monare withdrawn for Ben Motshwari.
These changes proved timeous after six minutes as Shandu doubled the Buccaneers lead with a simple tap-in from a one-touch move involving Deon Hotto.
It became an evenly balanced affair in the closing exchanges, with Saoura hopeful of a turnaround however the hosts did well to hold out for three points and a clean sheet.
Confirmed line-ups:
Pirates: Mpontshane, Jele, Ndah, Shandu, Mako, Monare, Mosele, Makhubela, Lorch, Hotto, Peprah
Subs: Sandilands, Dzvukamanja, Lepasa, Maela, Dlamini, Jooste, Makaringe, Mabaso, Motshwari