Orlando Pirates opened their CAF Champions League campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over CR Belouizdad at Stade du 5 Juillet 1962 on Tuesday night. In an entertaining Group C clash, the Buccaneers showcased grit and determination to secure three valuable points away from home.

The match was a spectacle from the first whistle, with both sides exchanging attacking blows in a high-tempo encounter. Pirates’ Mohau Nkota stole the spotlight, scoring a sensational brace on his continental football debut. His first goal came after a perfectly weighted assist from Relebohile Mofokeng, allowing Nkota to slot the ball past Belouizdad’s goalkeeper Moustapha Zeghba.

Nkota almost doubled his tally soon after, but Zeghba produced an outstanding save to keep the Algerian side in the game. However, Nkota would not be denied, as he unleashed a thunderous strike from outside the box to beat Zeghba for his second goal. The youngster’s stunning performance underlined his potential as a future star for Pirates.

The home side refused to back down and continued to press for a way back into the game. Khanyisa Mayo, the South African forward recently signed by Belouizdad, scored a brilliant header to halve the deficit. It marked Mayo’s first goal for the Algerian side and added an extra layer of drama to the clash.

Belouizdad nearly equalized late in the game, with Karim Mahious coming agonizingly close as his powerful shot sailed just wide of the post. Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine was also instrumental in the victory, producing a double save earlier in the match to deny the hosts a potential equalizer.

The win gives Orlando Pirates an ideal start in Group C, sending a strong message to their continental rivals. With Mohau Nkota delivering a man-of-the-match performance and the entire team showing resilience, the Buccaneers will take plenty of confidence into their next fixture.