Pirates lose in African Champions League

Orlando Pirates crashed to an embarrassing 3-1 defeat at the hands of Recreativo do Libolo of Angola in their first-round African Champions League match at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Sunday.
Two successful strikes by midfielder Maieco Domingos Henrique within four minutes in the first half and another just on the hour by Henri Camara ensured that the visitors took a handy advantage back to Luanda.

Pirates, however, narrowed the difference to two goals just before the final whistle but they are facing a tough challenge in Angola on March 4.

The Angolans were dominant from the outset and kept the Pirates defence guessing.

Recreativo do Libolo opened the scoring in the 12th minute when Henrique pounced on a loose ball and fired it into the back of the Pirates net after some shoddy defence.

A few minutes later it was Henrique again as he blasted a long distance effort into the top left corner.
Pirates looked good in midfield but their crosses were met with solid defence from Recreativo do Libolo's back four.

Pirates made their first substitution in the second stanza when they introduced Tlou Segolela in a place of Mabena Ndumiso.

With Pirates pushing to come back into the match, Angolan substitute Henri Camara took advantage to bang in the third goal and seal the opening leg win.

Pirates' Mahamutsa Rooi scored a consolation goal with a diving header off a cross by Segolela deep into the referee's added optional time. The Buccaneers could not have asked for a worse start in their pursuit of replicating their achievements in 1995 when they were crowned the champions of Africa.
The current holders of all four domestic South African trophies will hope to make up for Sunday's mishap in the return fixture in Angola.

Scorers: Pirates - Mahamutsa Petrus Rooi (93rd min); Recreativo do Libolo - Maieco Domingos Henrique (12th, 16th), Henri Camara (62nd).

click to enlarge LONE WARRIOR: Defender Rooi Mahamutsa scored Orlando Pirates’ solitary goal