CAF Champions League

Result: Zanaco 0-1 Pirates

Date: 16 March 2013

Venue: Nkoloma Stadium

Orlando Pirates put in a tough shift in the Zambian heat to beat Zanaco 1-0 in their first round first-leg CAF Champions League clash on Saturday.

The Sea Robbers would have been eying an away goal coming into the game and it took just five minutes to arrive as Ndumiso Mabena rattled the back of the net.

Another boost was the fact that Benni McCarthy returned to action as he came on from the bench late on in the game as he continues his return to full fitness.

The conditions were not the best for the visiting side, as they had to deal with a difficult surface which cut up and was not really suited to a flowing passing game.

This meant that set-pieces would be vital for both sides and the decisive moment came via a Daine Klate corner as Mabena got up to power a header home.

Pirates coach Roger de Sa admitted after the game that he knew it was going to be difficult in those conditions, but was pleased with the way that his side adapted and defended.

The result means that a draw or victory of any kind at home in the second-leg will see them through, where they are like to face African giants TP Mazembe in the next round.

Pirates: Senzo Meyiwa, Thabo Matlaba, Happy Jele, Lucky Lekgwathi (c), Ayanda Gcaba, Onyekachi Okonkwo, Andile Jali, Daine Klate, Tlou Segolela, Ndumiso Mabena, Collins Mbesuma.

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