Tshegofatso Mabasa stars as Orlando Pirates outwit Lioli FC to take advantage in CAF Champions League preliminary showdown

Orlando Pirates registered a 3-0 CAF Champions League first preliminary victory over Lesotho's Lioli FC at Toyota Stadium on Saturday. 

Pirates were frustrated in the first half, although they had chances to score and get a healthy lead within the 45 minutes.

However, Lioli goalkeeper William Huni stood between Pirates and goals as he made crucial saves to deny the visitors.

Huni's first key save came in the 10th minute when he denied Relebohile Mofokeng a chance to break the deadlock.

The goalkeeper was forced to pull off another save in the 15th minute; this time around, he denied Deon Hotto, whose shot troubled Lioli's defence, but the goalkeeper was alert to save them from going down.

Four minutes later, it was Thabiso Lebitso who was blocked from wreaking havoc as Huni made another critical save for his team. Sipho Mbule spotted Lebitso, but the home side's goalkeeper blocked his right-footed shot.

At the half-hour mark, Mbule was presented with a good opportunity to score, but after receiving a cross from Hotto, he shot straight to Huni.

Bucs created goalscoring chances late in the first half, but Thalente Mbatha and Sihle Nduli could not find the back of the net.

Although he looked like an isolated figure in the first half, Mabasa struck in the 53rd minute to hand Pirates the lead.

Four minutes after breaking the deadlock, Mabasa doubled Pirates' lead as he grabbed a brace.

Oswin Appollis added the third goal in the third minute of added time to hand Pirates a full advantage before the second-leg duel.

Mabasa has proven again why he is a dependable striker for Pirates. After helping Bucs defend the MTN8 trophy, Abdeslam Ouaddou explained that he has figured out the right style that suits him.

For the second consecutive game, Mabasa, the Pirates' top scorer in the last two seasons, was on the scoresheet again.

After massive saves that kept Pirates at bay for over 50 minutes, Huni finally conceded.

However, his teammates should be grateful because were it not for him, they would have conceded a bigger defeat at their own turf.

Pirates will face Siwelele FC in a Premier Soccer League game on September 23, before focusing on the second-leg encounter against their preliminary continental opponents. 

The second leg will be played on September 27.