Orlando Pirates registered a 1-0 win away to MC Alger in the CAF Champions League quarter-final first leg on Tuesday night.
The Buccaneers were unchanged from the side that started the win over Mamelodi Sundowns three weeks, as the young Mbokazi made his first start in the tournament.
It was a very intense start for the Buccaneers who needed goalkeeper Sipho Chaine to come up with a near post save and deny Emmanuel Junior Zunon.
More efforts by the host followed on the half-hour mark after a header at the back-post from Zaharia Naidoo crashed against the side-netting.
Pirates enjoyed a positive spell towards the end of the first half, with Relebohile Mofokeng firing wide of the bottom-corner from way out.
The Algerian charges continued to cause problems as Zakaria came on the far side following a square pass and cutback to force Chaine into a good save at the near post.
It didn't get any easier for the Buccaneers after halftime with the host pressing aggressively and nearly profiting through Mohamed Bangoura.
An inspired substitution by the Soweto giants soon thereafter saw Kabelo Dlamini withdrawn and Mohau Nkota summoned on.
Nkota proved effective midway through the second stanza after bursting through the centre of the defence to side-foot into the bottom-corner from Mofokeng's pass.
The People's Club looked for an instant response moments later with a succession of attempts from all angles, but were unable to trouble Chaine.
Alger continued pushing numbers with time running out, but struggled to get turn the stubborn defence of the Sea Robbers.
Jose Riveiro's men maintained a resolute approach towards full-time and picked up a crucial away win with the return-leg set for next week.
Confirmed line-ups:
MC Alger: Ramdane, Khelif, Abdellaoui, Benkhemassa, Ghezala, Reda Halaimia, Tabti, Zunon, Naidji, Bangoura, Bouras
Orlando Pirates: Chaine, Van Rooyen, Xoki, Sibisi, Mbokazi, Makhuala, Mbatha, Dlamini, Hotto, Mofokeng, Makgopa
Subs: Buthelezi, Maela, Madiba, Shandu, Mosele, Ndlondlo, Nkota, Radiopane, Mabasa