GABORONE, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- Botswana league champions Jwaneng Galaxy lost 3-0 against South Africa's Orlando Pirates in the first leg of the CAF Confederations Cup group stage playoffs in Gaborone National Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Galaxy goalkeeper Ezekiel Morake was put under pressure early on, with a double save from Happy Jele and Terrence Dzvukamanja. Pirates got the first goal in the 32nd minute when a corner kick from Deon Hotto found Thulani Hlatshwayo to head home.
Linda Mntambo scored the second goal late in the second half after picking up Paseka Moko's pass. The final nail on the coffin came when Jean-Marc Mundele netted deep in second-half stoppage time to earn Pirates victory in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup.
Speaking at the end of the match, Galaxy head coach Oris Radipotsane said his team had not played competitive football in a long time, which affected their fitness level.
"We have stayed about 12 months without playing active football, so the boys are not fit, and that is why they played only 17 minutes, and they punctured. The other issue is I had only five days to prepare the team after taking over as the head coach."
"I am happy we scored a set-piece from a corner against this opponent with tall players. Second half, we also had so many opportunities to score goals. At the end of the day, we deserved this win," said Josef Zinnbauer, Orlando Pirates coach.
The game took place without spectators because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Enditem
