Orlando Pirates will probably argue otherwise but they are unlikely to have spent sleepless nights agonising over visitors Jwaneng Galaxy as they prepared for the CAF Confederation Cup play-off return leg meeting between the two sides at Orlando Stadium yesterday.
Bucs laboured in the initial stages of this encounter but finally put the Botswana side out of their misery when they emerged 1-0 winners on Sunday and 4-0 victors on aggregate to qualify for the lucrative group stages of the continental tournament.
If truth be told, Pirates finished the job with their 3-0 away win in the first leg in Gaborone a week ago and any hopes of an unlikely comeback at Orlando were finally doused when regular Galaxy tormentor Linda Mntambo gave the home side the priceless lead in the 55th minute.
Mntambo must be the source of countless nightmares for those who pledge allegiance to the Galaxy colours as he was among the scorers in the first leg.
Galaxy had appeared to hold their own during a largely open first half and even managed to threaten on occasion as they bravely sought an unlikely haul of goals that would have brought them back into this match. And perhaps motivated by Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer's decision to stick to his guns and continue to rotate his squad, Galaxy often stood their ground as the home side searched for an effective route to keeper Ezekiel Morake's goal area.
Only Mntambo and Thulani Hlatshwayo returned from the first leg and Pirates' Southern African neighbours visibly grew in confidence as the match progressed, and even managed to give Bucs keeper Siyabonga Mpontshane a fright when a free-kick rattled the woodwork in the 30th minute.
That chance spurred Pirates into action and they should have made better use of the gilt-edged chances they subsequently created, most notably from Jean-Marc Mundele, who could not find a way past Morake after linking up very well with Austin Muwowo.
After going into the halftime break still goalless, Pirates finally sprang into life and that man Mntambo delivered when it mattered. The goals avalanche that many predicted never came at Orlando Stadium and Pirates will need to deliver the killer blow at home when they are confronted by more dangerous sides in the group stages.
Pirates next visit SuperSport United in the league on Wednesday (Lucas Moripe Stadium, 5pm).
Bucs complete job to make CAF group stages
Mntambo again torments Botswana's Galaxy
Digital sports editor
Image: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
Orlando Pirates will probably argue otherwise but they are unlikely to have spent sleepless nights agonising over visitors Jwaneng Galaxy as they prepared for the CAF Confederation Cup play-off return leg meeting between the two sides at Orlando Stadium yesterday.
Bucs laboured in the initial stages of this encounter but finally put the Botswana side out of their misery when they emerged 1-0 winners on Sunday and 4-0 victors on aggregate to qualify for the lucrative group stages of the continental tournament.
If truth be told, Pirates finished the job with their 3-0 away win in the first leg in Gaborone a week ago and any hopes of an unlikely comeback at Orlando were finally doused when regular Galaxy tormentor Linda Mntambo gave the home side the priceless lead in the 55th minute.
Mntambo must be the source of countless nightmares for those who pledge allegiance to the Galaxy colours as he was among the scorers in the first leg.
Galaxy had appeared to hold their own during a largely open first half and even managed to threaten on occasion as they bravely sought an unlikely haul of goals that would have brought them back into this match. And perhaps motivated by Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer's decision to stick to his guns and continue to rotate his squad, Galaxy often stood their ground as the home side searched for an effective route to keeper Ezekiel Morake's goal area.
Only Mntambo and Thulani Hlatshwayo returned from the first leg and Pirates' Southern African neighbours visibly grew in confidence as the match progressed, and even managed to give Bucs keeper Siyabonga Mpontshane a fright when a free-kick rattled the woodwork in the 30th minute.
That chance spurred Pirates into action and they should have made better use of the gilt-edged chances they subsequently created, most notably from Jean-Marc Mundele, who could not find a way past Morake after linking up very well with Austin Muwowo.
After going into the halftime break still goalless, Pirates finally sprang into life and that man Mntambo delivered when it mattered. The goals avalanche that many predicted never came at Orlando Stadium and Pirates will need to deliver the killer blow at home when they are confronted by more dangerous sides in the group stages.
Pirates next visit SuperSport United in the league on Wednesday (Lucas Moripe Stadium, 5pm).
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