Orlando Pirates kick off Caf Champions League group stage with win in Algeria

Nkota found the back of the net after five minutes and then struck a brilliant long-range effort in the 27th minute to give the Buccaneers a 2-0 lead.

Former Cape Town City forward Khanyisa Mayo came off the bench and pulled a goal back for the hosts just after the hour mark but the South African side held on for victory.

The Soweto giants made the perfect start to the contest when goalkeeper Sipho Chaine sent a long ball up-field that was flicked on by Evidence Makgopa to Relebohile Mofokeng, who found the on-rushing Nkota to finish.

It was the perfect exhibition of the old-school long-ball tactics with the Belouizdad defence in sixes and sevens.

Nkota then doubled the visitors' advantage just before the half-hour mark when he picked up the ball just outside the box and unleashed a stunning left-footed thunderbolt that gave home shot-stopper Moustapha Zeghba no chance of saving.

Pirates were in total control of the proceedings and the Algerian outfit responded by summoning Mayo off the bench in the 33rd minute to support experienced striker Islam Slimani.

The home side were certainly the better team after the half-time break as Jose Riveiro's charges sat back looking to protect their 2-0 lead.

Belouizdad were spurred on by a boisterous crowd at the Stade du 5 Juillet and they were rewarded in the 66th minute when Mayo pulled a goal back after heading in from a corner.

The Algerians club then threw everything at Pirates in the final 20 minutes in search of the equaliser but the South African club held firm to bag an important three points on the road.

Pirates join Al Ahly on maximum points in the group after the Egyptian giants beat Stade d'Abidjan from Ivory Coast 4-2 earlier in the day.

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