Orlando Pirates moved to the top of the Caf Confederation Cup Group B standings following their comfortable 3-0 victory over Royal Leopards at the Orlando Stadium on Sunday evening.

The Buccaneers got off to a bright start and nearly took the lead as early as the first minute but Kwame Peprah was denied by goalkeeper Ncamiso Dlamini after he got in behind the Leopards defence.

The home side continued to dominate possession after 15 minutes of play as they went in search of the breakthrough goal.

Paseka Mako came to his side’s rescue in the 19th minute when he made a crucial stop as the visitors pushed forward with some purpose.

Dlamini was called into action four minutes later when he made a good save to deny Fortune Makaringe’s thunderous strike at goal.

The Buccaneers had a chance to break the deadlock in the 43rd minute but Hotto saw his free-kick brush off the top of the roof as the game went into the break on level terms.

The home side opted to bring on fresh legs after the restart as Peprah made way in place of Terrence Dzvukamanja.

Pirates then broke the deadlock moments later when Makaringe spotted the keeper off his line and capitalise on the mistake with a superb goal to make it 1-0.

Dzvukamanja had a chance to double his sides lead in the 54th minute but the substitute fired his effort well over the crossbar.

The Buccaneers doubled their lead three minutes later when Kabelo Dlamini found the back of the net after latching on to a fine flick from Goodman Mosele to make it 2-0.

The Sea Robbers made their second substitute of the game on the hour mark as Hotto was taken off and replaced by Bongani Sam.

Pirates eventually grabbed their third goal of the game in the 70th minute through a great header from substitute Dzvukamanja, who made it 3-0.

The home side thought they had extended their lead even further two minutes later after Dzvukamanja found the back of the net in quick succession but saw his goal flagged for offside.

Makaringe should have completed his brace and added Pirates’ fourth goal of the game in the 88th minute but his shot sailed narrowly wide of the target.

Pirates thought they should have been awarded a penalty in stoppage time after Dzvukamanja went to ground inside the box but the referee waved play on but they managed to hold on until the final whistle to secure all three points to go top of Group B.