Johannesburg - Orlando Pirates defeated Egyptian giants Al Ahly 1-0 in their first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup semi final on Saturday night at Orlando Stadium.
A first half goal by Thamsanqa Gabuza was enough to hand Eric Tinkler's men a deserved victory and a glimmer of hope going to the second leg to be staged in Cairo next weekend.
In a fast-paced football match, it was Gabuza who found an early goal as in the ninth minute when he connected with a beautiful cross from Kermit Erasmus to give the South Africans the lead.
The Buccaneers were awarded a set piece in the 18th minute and Mpho Makola unleashed a powerful shot which forced a brilliant save out of Ahly keeper Sherif Ekrami who was alert between the sticks and parried the ball out for a corner.
The Egyptians made attempts to trouble the hosts' defence when they pushed goalkeeper Felipe Ovono to make a superb block in the 31st minute, which hit the upright but defender Ntsikelelo Nyauza was nearby to clear to ball to safety.
The Sea Robbers went to the tunnel ahead with Gabuza's strike, and they began the second stanza in similar fashion.
Shortly after the restart left back Thabo Matlaba failed to keep his volley on target, following a brilliant move by the midfielders on a counter attack.
In the 61st minute, the Egyptians nearly equalised when they put pressure on the Buccaneers' defence but their long range attempt went across the face of goal.
With the visitors controlling the proceedings, it was Matlaba who was in space to net the second for the hosts in the 76th minute but his shot went straight to goalkeeper Ekrami.
Moemen Zakareya managed to get the best out of Rooi Mahamutsa with 10 minutes to go but once again the busy Ovono was in an uncompromising mood as the visitors continued to probe for an equaliser.
Coach Fathi Mabrouk's men tried all they could in an aim to go back home with a goal, but the Buccaneers' defence was solid to deny them as they succumbed to Gabuza's solitary strike. - ANA