Orlando Pirates walked away 0-1 winners in their CAF Confederation Cup clash against GD Sagrada Esperanca in Angola on Tuesday evening.
Wayne Sandilands returned to the side as Pirates kicked off their continental campaign in Luanda, while their trip also saw Jean-Marc Makusu make his debut for the club and Austin Muwowo get a rare look-in.
As confessed by coach Josef Zinnbauer, the visitors went into the encounter knowing very little of their opponents but walked away victorious thanks to a lone strike from Thembinkosi Lorch.
After a scoreless first half, the Buccaneers finally broke the deadlock and earned a crucial away-goal as Lorch broke the deadlock in the 75th minute at the Estadio dos Coqueiros.
The Soweto giants will certainly enjoy a jolly festive period, as they end off the year with a 12-match unbeaten run across all competitions in 2020/21.
They will return to action on January 2 against reigning DStv Premiership champions and current log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, before hosting the return leg of their first round Confederation Cup tie against Esperanca a few days later.
Starting Line-up:
Pirates: Sandilands, Jooste (Monyane 46'), Mako, Nyauza (c), Sam, Ndlovu, Makaringe, Mntambo (Makusu 46'), Lorch, Dzvukamanja (Muwowo), Mhango (Hotto 75')
Unused subs: Mpontshane, Sesame, Motshwari