Orlando Pirates took a massive step toward the Caf Confederation Cup final with a 2-0 win over Al Ahli Tripoli in Libya in their semi-final first-leg on Sunday evening.

The Soweto giants were looking to put some disappointing league result behind them in the first leg in Libya and they got off to the perfect start as Innocent Maela pounced on an error from the home goalkeeper to fire home with just 8 minutes gone.

Pirates then doubled their lead just before the half-hour mark as Goodman Mosele picked up Peprah’s deflected cross before firing a volley into the top corner as he entered the box, putting the Buccaneers firmly in control of the game.

The hosts were struggling to break down the well-organised Pirates backline as Richard Ofori went largely untroubled in the first 45 minutes.

The South Africans came out in the second half with the clear intention of not giving anything away as they looked happy to allow the host more possession of the ball while looking to pose a threat on the counterattack.

The visitors had a couple of efforts from distance from Lorch and Peprah which didn’t threaten the keeper as the game headed into the final stages.

Ah Ahli continued to look for a way back into the game, but were interrupted by technical issues at the stadium as the lights went out on a couple of occasions in the final stages, When things were finally back up and running, the hosts tried to regain momentum but it was not to be as they suffered a damaging home defeat.

Pirates with the two away goal victory will take a big advantage into next week’s second leg in South Africa.