Orlando Pirates booked their place in the group stages of the 2026/27 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League in commanding fashion on Friday night, thrashing Namibian champions African Stars 4-0 at Orlando Amstel Arena.
The result completed a 5-0 aggregate victory after the Buccaneers edged the first leg 1-0 in Gaborone last Saturday, with Tshepang Moremi scoring the decisive goal.
First-half control
Pirates wasted little time asserting their authority in front of a passionate home crowd. Thapelo Mokobodi opened the scoring in the 18th minute, sliding in at the back post to convert a cross from Simphiwe Masilela and double the aggregate lead.
Evidence Makgopa, handed a first start of the season, made it 2-0 on the night just before half-time. The forward finished confidently after being released by a defence-splitting pass from Masilela, giving the Soweto giants a firm grip on the tie at the break.
Second-half surge
Head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou introduced young midfielder Mpho Padime at the start of the second half, and the substitute made an immediate impact. Within a minute of the restart, Padime scored his first goal for the club, combining neatly with Makgopa to put Pirates 3-0 up on the night and effectively end the contest.
Makgopa completed his brace in the 77th minute, tapping home after good work from substitute Deon Hotto on the left flank. The fourth goal sealed a dominant performance and confirmed Pirates as South Africa's only representatives in the group stages.
Looking ahead
The victory marks a successful return to the competition's elite phase for the Buccaneers, who reached the semi-finals last season. African Stars were unable to create meaningful chances against a well-organised Pirates side that controlled proceedings from start to finish.
Pirates will now await the group-stage draw, having put previous disappointments behind them with a professional and clinical display.