Pirates stutter at first hurdle in chase for CAF Champions League group stage ticket

Orlando Pirates were made to sweat at the first hurdle of their CAF Champions League journey after being held to a goalless draw by La Cure Wave in Mauritius on Sunday.

The Buccaneers arrived as overwhelming favourites against the Mauritian champions, but dominance of the ball failed to translate into goals as Abdeslam Ouaddou’s men were frustrated in the first leg of their preliminary-round tie.

For Pirates, it was an early reminder that continental football rarely respects reputation.

Last season’s African adventure ended painfully in the second preliminary round when DR Congo outfit Saint-Éloi Lupopo eliminated the Soweto giants on penalties, denying them a place in the lucrative group stages.

Pirates, who claimed the Betway Premiership title last season for the first time in over a decade, returned to the continental competition determined to avoid another premature departure, although Ouaddou opted to shuffle his pack for the trip to Mauritius.

The likes of Kamogelo Sebelebele and Yanela Mbuthuma were rested from the starting XI, while Nkosinathi Sibisi, Ghampani Lungu, Tshepang Moremi and Sebastian Pedersen were not included in the squad. New signing Mohau Nkota was also absent.

Even with those changes, Pirates controlled large periods of the opening half but struggled to turn possession into clear-cut opportunities.

Boitumelo Radiopane was presented with one of their better chances but could not find the target as La Cure Wave survived the first-half pressure.

Deon Hotto threatened shortly after the restart when Pirates won a free-kick in a promising position, but his attempt was comfortably gathered by the goalkeeper.

The pattern became increasingly familiar as the contest wore on.

Pirates had the ball, La Cure Wave had