This is after producing another clinical performance at home, completing a result identical to the one earned in Algiers in the away leg. While sealing their spot in the quarterfinals, it banishes the visitors to a group-stage finish with one fixture left to play for each side.

What was a high-stakes encounter between two Group C rivals hopeful of progressing to the last eight failed to produce fireworks in the initial stages, with both teams opting for caution early on. The home side did manage to control matters from the onset, but it was the Algerians who conjured up the game’s first real shot in anger 16 minutes in. The chance was sparked by Khanyisa Mayo who did not get the necessary connection to direct his effort on target.

The game was jolted into life in the 20th minute, following a wayward pass deep inside Belouizdad territory, which handed Bucs striker Tshegofatso Mabasa a chance to get a shot away. His attempt met a deflection on its way to goalkeeper Moustafa Zeghba, but the shot stopper could only parry the ball onto the path of Relebohile Mofokeng who was left to complete a tap-in to put his side ahead.

The Buccaneers’ lead could have been short-lived though, if not for a misdirected shot from  Abderrahmane Meziane in the 27th minute. The striker found a way past the defence, beating Sipho Chaine, only to place his shot on the wrong side of the upright.

A chance to double the lead was presented to the home side late in the first half, but Mabasa failed to connect with a lovely through-ball sent in his direction by Patrick Maswanganyi. This meant that only a solitary goal separated the two sides as they headed into the tunnel.

In trying to restore parity, The Reds had an opportunity early after the restart when Mayo unselfishly laid one for his skipper, Islam Slimani. The former Leicester City forward however fluffed his lines as he sent his shot into the stands instead.

The missed opportunity came to haunt the visitors after the hour mark when Thalente Mbatha doubled the lead. The midfielder was left unmarked in enough space to free up one of his trademark shots from range and found the target with a firmly-struck effort which bounced off the inside of the crossbar into the net.

He had another chance moments later, misdirecting his attempt at extending the lead further. Belouizdad meanwhile looked to pull one back and could have done so in the 76th minute when replacement striker Mohamed Belkhir fired at the Pirates goal from close range, but only succeeded in sending his shot wide.

The Algerians continued to seek a way back into the contest, with Chaine forced into some desperate saves late on. They eventually reduced their deficit in injury time when Abdelraouf Benguit found a way past the Bucs shot-stopper with the help of a deflection inside the box.

The goal set up a tense finish, but time was on the hosts’ side as they looked to see out the contest. The final whistle sounded eventually, confirming the Buccaneers’ spot in the knockouts of the continents’ most prestigious club competition for the first time in over a decade.

Pirates XI: Chaine, Sesane, Sibisi, Van Rooyen, Hotto, Mbatha (Dlamini 84’) , Makhaula, Maswanganyi, Nkota (Mako 63’),  Mofokeng (Lebitso 84’), Mabasa (Makgopa 63’).

The crucial fixture takes place at Orlando Stadium on Saturday, seven days after the Buccaneers claimed a significant advantage in the tie with victory in the away leg.

Form Guide

A month and a half into the new season, the home side remains unbeaten and come off a dramatic league win at home to Chippa United in midweek. This was their fourth victory in as many matches played in Soweto and their fifth win overall.

In their seven outings so far in the ongoing campaign, the only blemishes to the Soweto Giants’ record have been stalemates against Madagascar champions Disciples and local rivals Cape Town City, both occurring away from home.

Having claimed their first away win last Saturday against Galaxy, they will be looking to carve a seamless path into the next round of the Champions League with another victory.

Meanwhile, the visitors will head to Soweto determined to launch another comeback, having done so in the previous round after losing the away leg to Namibia’s African Stars with a 1-0 scoreline. Dinaledi, as they are affectionately known, avenged the defeat at home and forced the tie into penalties where they eventually prevailed.

Their three Champions League fixtures have been their only outings so far this season, with their domestic league only set to get underway later in the month.

Team News

Changes could be seen in both camps in the second leg, with the likes of Thabang Sesinyi and Onkabetse Makgantai likely to feature more prominently for the visitors after starting from the bench in the previous encounter.

For the hosts, there could be bigger roles for Boitumelo Radiopane and Thuso Moleleki, who both made cameos in midweek.

Zakhele Lepasa and Goodman Mosele remain on the mend after sustaining ankle and knee injuries respectively, while a return to action looms for Paseka Mako who recently resumed full training.

Players to Watch

Attacking midfielder Gilbert Baruti gave Pirates a few nervy moments after his halftime introduction in Gaborone and will be determined to convert his chances in Soweto. The 32-year-old is an experienced campaigner in continental football and a regular feature on the scoresheet. 

With goals a non-negotiable heading into the deciding leg, the visitors will rely heavily on international forwards Wendell Rudath and Sesinyi, who will both have a big role in keeping their continental campaign alive.

Head-to-Head

Galaxy will go into the fixture with a degree of confidence having beaten Pirates once in the recent past. This was when they won 1-0 at home in the last preliminary round of the 2023/24 Champions League, eventually going through on penalties after the Buccaneers levelled the tie in the second leg.

The Soweto Giants have however been the more dominant of the two sides over the years, winning four of their five previous encounters and only conceding one goal while finding the net seven times.

TV Coverage and Ticket Info

The fixture is scheduled to kick off at 18:00 and will be broadcast live on SABC Sport and SABC+. Live updates will be posted across Orlando Pirates’ social media channels.

Tickets to attend the match are available online at TicketPro and selected outlets nationwide.

The Buccaneers come into this encounter looking to avoid a potential banana skin with the match sitting on a knife edge after the First Leg ended in a goalless draw. Both clubs are yet to get off the mark but it will be the visitors who come with the slight mental edge having kept a clean sheet in the first leg encounter.

As for Riveiro and his charges. The team has to step up and dish out a performance befitting of the clubs prestige.

Player Availability

The hosts will be boosted by the return of Miguel Timm who has shaken off an injury that has kept him out of the last two matches. Another player who has been declared fit for tonight’s encounter is Thabiso Monyane. The hard-running wing back has been declared fit by the Bucs medical team after recovering from a toe injury.

Not Available

Meanwhile, apart from the list of players who are still recovering from their respective injuries, one other player who won’t be available for selection tonight is new signing Gilberto.

Gilberto, has missed the Buccaneers’ opening fixtures as he was awaiting his work permit.

However, Orlandopiratesfc.com can confirm that Gilberto has finally received the necessary paperwork to finally play in the famous Black and White. But this will only be from the next round of the CAF Champions  League qualifiers,  should Pirates win tonight.

Gilberto will be available for selection for the MTN8 clash against Cape Town City next week.