Overview

• Orlando Pirates beat Lioli 3-0 in Bloemfontein, with Tshegofatso Mabasa scoring twice and Oswin Appollis adding a late third.
• Lioli were the designated hosts but played at Free State Stadium because Lesotho has no CAF-approved venue.
• The second leg is scheduled for Saturday, 27 September at Orlando Stadium, where Pirates can finish the preliminary-round tie.
• Ouaddou said the job is only half done and lamented missed chances despite impactful second-half changes, warning against complacency.
• Defensive depth remains stretched by Tapelo Xoki’s knee injury and Olisa Ndah’s recovery as Pirates face a Tuesday league game after just 48 hours’ rest, extending their clean-sheet run to over 400 minutes.