Pirates thump Royal Leopards to top CAF Confederation Cup group

Orlando Pirates recorded a comprehensive 3-0 CAF Confederation Cup victory over Royal Leopards at the Orlando Stadium on Sunday.

After a goalless first half, Fortune Makaringe opened the scoring two minutes after the break ahead of a 56th minute Kabelo Dlamini goal.

Terrence Dzukamanja made sure of the points with his goal after 70 minutes to see Bucs secure their spot on top of Group B with nine points from four games.

Leopards are bottom with zero points.

?? FT || @orlandopirates 3 - 0 Royal Leopards?? 48' Makaringe?? 56' Dlamini?? 70' Dzvukamanja?? Forward | Terrence Dzvukamanja ?????#Matchday #TotalEnergiesCAFCC#OrlandoPirates #OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/CznWRNhFxP

Pirates had dominated their Eswatini opponents the last time these two sides faced each other, winning 6-2 and were fastest out of the blocks this time as well as Kwame Peprah fired in a good early shot that was well saved by Leopards goalkeeper Ncamiso Dlamini.

The home team kept up the pressure with a succession of corners before a chance for the away side as Mzwandile Mabelesa latched onto a Mancoba Maseko cross but put his header wide.

Deon Hotto was fed by Kabelo Dlamini but couldn't beat Ncamiso Dlamini on 11 minutes, as Wandile Simelane came close with a header for Leopards.

Chances continued to flow throughout the opening stanza, with Andy Junior Magagula off target for the visiting team ahead of a good Makaringe effort that was well kept out.

Olisa Ndah had a couple of chances to nod his side in the lead but when the opening goal did finally arrive, it was through a superb hit from Makaringe from a very wide position that deceived Dlamini and ended up in the back of the net.

Dzvukamanja had been brought on at half-time to replace Peprah, and was close to a