Orlando Pirates qualified for the Caf Confederation Cup quarter-finals after defeating JS Saoura 2-0 at the Stade 5 Juillet 1962 on Sunday evening.

The game got off to a bright start with both teams trying to get their rhythm early on hoping to find an opening goal in the early exchanges.

Pirates had a chance to break the deadlock in the 10th minute when Deon Hotto did well to beat his marker before laying it off for Kabelo Dlamini, who was beaten to the ball.

The Saoura goalkeeper was called into action in the 22nd minute when he came off his line to deny Goodman Mosele, who pounced on to a loose ball in the middle of the box.

Richard Ofori kept his side in the game when he came to Pirates’ rescue in the 36th minute, making a fine diving save to deny the home side.

The Buccaneers had a chance to lead, but Dlamini’s ambitious effort sailed well wide of target as the game went into the break locked at 0-0.

Pirates started the second half on the front foot when they took the lead four minutes in, after Ntsikelelo Nyauza was on hand to head the ball into the back of the net.

The visitors doubled their lead in the 51st minute when Shandu picked out an unmarked Dlamini, who slotted the ball home with ease to make it 2-0.

Pirates had a chance to grab their third goal in the 62nd minute when Hotto darted down the left flank before playing a square ball to Peprah, who was a second to late.

The Buccaneers made their first substitution in the 69th minute as Terrence Dzvukamanja was brought on for Dlamini, followed by Fortune Makaringe replacing Peprah eight minutes later before Innocent Maela came on for Shandu in the 84th minute.

The home side had a chance to reduce the deficit in stoppage time but Saadi drew a comfortable save out of Ofori, before Mako forced the Saoura keeper into making a save to stop his powerful strike moments later.

Pirates managed to hold on to their two-goal lead until the final whistle to book their place in the next round of the Confederation Cup.