Orlando Pirates secured a valuable 1-0 victory over Namibian champions African Stars in the first leg of their CAF Champions League second preliminary round tie at the Botswana National Stadium in Gaborone on Saturday.
Tshepang Moremi scored the decisive goal in the 78th minute to give the Buccaneers an important away victory and put them in a strong position ahead of the return leg.
The result gives the Soweto giants an advantage as they continue their quest to reach the lucrative group stages of Africa’s premier club competition.
Pirates went into the encounter determined to avoid another early continental exit after being eliminated by DR Congo’s FC Saint-Éloi Lupopo at the same stage last season.
The Buccaneers arrived in Botswana in confident mood following their convincing 3-0 Betway Premiership victory over TS Galaxy.
However, African Stars proved difficult opponents, forcing Pirates to work hard for the breakthrough in a tightly contested encounter.
With the match heading towards its closing stages, Moremi found the crucial goal in the 78th minute to separate the two teams and hand Pirates a narrow but significant victory.
The South African side will now turn its attention to the second leg, where it will look to complete the job and secure progression to the next stage of the competition.
The return leg is scheduled for Friday, 23 October 2026, at Orlando Amstel Arena in Johannesburg.
Pirates will be hoping to capitalise on their first-leg advantage in front of their home supporters as they pursue a place in the CAF Champions League group stages.