NOW, that was more like it.
Of course, it would be a bit premature to declare Orlando Pirates as good as in the group stages of the CAF Champions League.
But at 2-0 up over Jwaneng Galaxy, who have to visit the slaughter house that is Orlando Stadium in the return leg, surely the smart money has to be on the Buccaneers contesting the round-robin stage of the continent’s premier club knockout competition.
Tshegofatso Mabasa and Deon Hotto found the net either side of half-time as Pirates took a giant step towards gaining sweet revenge for last year’s embarrassing elimination by the team from Botswana.
Galaxy beat Pirates via a penalty shoot-out at the same second preliminary round stage in 2023 and when the teams were drawn together this year, excitement abounded in both countries.
Pirates had clearly underestimated their opponents last time around, coach Jose Riveiro fielding a weakened team in the first leg which they lost 1-0. Their second-leg victory by a similar scoreline meant the match had to be decided on spot-kicks and Jwaneng reigned supreme.
At a Gaborone Stadium packed to the rafters yesterday, the Spaniard took no chances as he put out a strong starting line-up and though their hosts kept them at bay for most of the initial 45 minutes, Pirates always looked the most dangerous.
They eventually found the net during time added on for stoppages in the first half, Mabasa smashing home a volley from inside the box after impressive work by Relebohile Mofokeng saw the Galaxy defence half clearing the ball.
As expected, Galaxy had to make the play after half-time and the introduction of Gilbert Baruti saw them asking questions of the Buccaneers, for whom captain Olisa Ndah was solid in the heart of the defence.
The Nigerian cleared just about every long ball the hosts threw at Pirates and even when Galaxy went low, they found him uncompromising, Ndah making a timely intervention on 53 minutes as the opposition threatened to equalise.
Riveiro then made a change that saw Mofokeng going off and defender Nkosinathi Sibisi coming on for a change in formation as Pirates now played with three central defenders.
The move unleashed Hotto from the more defensive duties he had been playing until then, and the Namibian was thus able to make forays into the opposition half.
On one of those, he ran up on the left, gave the ball to Patrick Maswanganyi and continued with his run into the box to receive a sublime return pass, and only needed to smash it hard with his left foot into the net.
Now 2-0 up and with under a quarter-hour left, Pirates could simply play for time in the confidence that they should be able to protect that lead if not add to it when they host Galaxy at Orlando this coming weekend.
But Galaxy tried their best to get something out of the match and were unlucky not to be given a penalty kick immediately after Hotto’s goal. Sibisi appeared to have made a dangerous tackle just inside the box, but the referee waved play on.
Then, on 89 minutes, Thabang Sesiyi failed to strike the ball cleanly from inside the box and his tame shot was easy for goalkeeper Sipho Chaine to claim when a powerful shot could have earned the home side a consolation goal to give them hope for the second leg.
Now, you have to say that Pirates will gain revenge on Galaxy and progress to the group stage.