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South African side Orlando Pirates, Nigeria’s Remo Stars and Tanzanian Young Africans eased into the second preliminary round of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League.
Orlando Pirates recorded a 4-0 victory over Lesotho’s Lioli FC at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.
The Soweto side wrapped up a 7-0 aggregate triumph, building on their 3-0 win in the first leg to underline their dominance in the tie.
In-form winger Tshepang Moremi broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, giving Pirates the advantage in front of their home supporters.
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Just four minutes into the second half, Moremi struck again to double his tally and place the Buccaneers firmly in control.
Substitute Yanela Mbuthuma added further gloss to the scoreline with a quickfire brace in the closing stages. He struck in the 79th minute before finding the net again two minutes later to complete a comfortable evening for coach Abdeslam Ouaddou’s men.
Pirates’ victory sets up a tougher challenge in the next round, where they will face the winner of the tie between DR Congo’s Saint-Eloi Lupopo and Sudanese giants Al-Merreikh. A place in the lucrative group stage will be at stake.
Earlier on Friday, Nigerian side Remo Stars booked their place in the second preliminary round with a composed 1–0 victory over US Zilimadjou in Moroni to record a 5–0 aggregate win.
Alex Oyowah settled the second leg on 74 minutes, guiding home the night’s only goal to silence a lively Stade de Moroni and cap a professional away display from the Nigerians.
Carrying a four-goal cushion from last weekend’s first leg in Ikenne, where Lamine Ndenge, Ebuka Anthony, Adams Goïta and Seun Olasupo all scored, Daniel Ogunmodede’s side played with control and discipline.
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Elsewhere, Tanzania giants Young Africans also progressed to the second round after defeating Wiliete of Angola 2-0 at home on Saturday.
Second half goals by Pacome Zouzoua and Aziz Andabwile helped Yanga to the win to advance 5-0 on aggregate.
Petro Atletico also secured a big aggregate victory following their 3-0 win over Cercle De Joachim of Mauritius. Tiago Reis, Vanilson and Pedro Aparicio scored for the Angolan side who advance 6-0 on aggregate.
Black Bulls of Mozambique also secured their place in the second round after defeating Leopard on Saturday. The home side defeated the Congolese to progress 1-0 on aggregate despite playing most of the game with ten men.
Ethiopian Insurance moved to the next stage of the competition despite losing their 3-2 to Mlandege in Zanzibar on Saturday. The visitors advance 4-3 on aggregate.
Silver Strikers also progressed to the second round despite playing to a goalless draw at home to Elgeco Plus of Madagascar. The Malawi sealed their place thanks to the away goals rule after their first leg ended 1-1 last week.
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Meanwhile, Aigle Nior of Burundi also advanced to the second round of the competition after holding ASAS of Djibouti 1-1 on Saturday.
The home side opened the scoring just before the break after Ntiwarza Sudi converted a penalty but Sostene Ndayikengurukiye restored parity for the visitors in the 64th minute, for the game to end 1-1 on aggregate.
The result was enough for the visitors to progress on the away goals rule after the first leg in ended goalless in Bujumbura last week.
The remainder of this weekend’s return legs continue across the continent on Saturday evening and Sunday to decide the full line-up for the next stage.
