Orlando Pirates suffered the worst possible start as Royal Leopards raced to a 0-2 lead in the opening seven minutes, but the Buccaneers produced a stunning comeback to walk away as comprehensive 6-2 winners.

Pirates travelled to the Mbombela Stadium expecting to pick up three points in their Caf Confederation Cup group-stage encounter, but Mzwandile Mabelesa gave Leopards a shock lead in the fifth minute with a deflected strike before Ingwe Mabalabala doubled the lead two minutes later.

Stunned into action, Pirates pulled a goal back in the 20th minute as Machawe Dlamini deflected Kabelo Dlamini’s cross into his own net at the near post.

The Soweto giants then managed to level matters as Bandile Shandu bundled in a close-range strike after a defence-splitting pass by Deon Hotto in the 37th minute, allowing just enough time for the visitors to complete the turnaround, as Peprah nodded home Hotto’s cross to give the Buccaneers the lead on the stroke of half time.

It was all Pirates in the second half as first Happy Jele got his side’s fourth with a glancing header from a Hotto free kick in the 57th minute before Dlamini put the Sea Robbers out with a fifth three minutes later.

The South Africans put the icing on top as substitute Terrance Dzvukamanja beat the offside to go through on goal and slide home a sixth goal to take Pirates top of the group with six points from the opening three games.