Delight in Algeria as Mohau Nkota hits the right note for Orlando Pirates

Mohau Nkota’s first-half heroics set the tone for Orlando Pirates as they kicked off their CAF Champions League group stage campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Algerian giants CR Belouizdad on Tuesday.

The Buccaneers silenced a sea of Belouizdad supporters early on at the famous 5 July 1962 Stadium in Algiers, with Nkota opening the scoring in the fourth minute after a clever assist from Relebohile Mofokeng.

The hosts nearly hit back seven minutes later, but goalkeeper Sipho Chaine was rock solid and produced a stunning double save to keep Pirates in the lead.

Nkota came close to doubling the advantage in the 14th minute, only for Belouizdad’s shot-stopper, Moustapha Zaghba, to deny him. However, the young forward was not to be stopped.

In the 31st minute, Nkota unleashed a thunderbolt from outside the box to complete his brace, with Mofokeng again providing the decisive pass.

The Buccaneers entered halftime with a commanding 2-0 lead, leaving Belouizdad with a mountain to climb.

The second half saw the Algerian champions emerge with renewed purpose, throwing everything forward in search of a lifeline.

Their persistence paid off in the 66th minute when Bafana Bafana striker Khanyisa Mayo rose to meet a cross with a perfectly placed header, halving the deficit and setting up a tense final stretch.

Despite relentless pressure from the home side, Pirates held firm to secure a valuable three points on foreign soil.

Meanwhile, in the group’s other match, defending champions Al Ahly delivered a statement of intent with a 4-2 victory over Stade d’Abidjan.

With this crucial win, Pirates have announced themselves as serious contenders in Group C, as Nkota's clinical finishing and Mofokeng's creativity proved decisive in