Orlando Pirates striker Evidence Makgopa repaid the coach's faith as he scored two goals to eliminate African Stars 5-0 and send his side into the group stages of the CAF Champions League.

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Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou believes Evidence Makgopa’s return to the starting line-up could give the Buccaneers another important attacking option after the striker scored twice against African Stars.

Makgopa found the net in the 44th minute and again in the 77th as Pirates beat the Namibian champions 4-0 at Orlando Amstel Arena on Friday, sealing a 5-0 aggregate victory and qualification for the CAF Champions League group stage.

The performance was particularly encouraging for the striker, whose last regular game came towards the end of last season. Given an opportunity to lead the line from the start, Makgopa rewarded Ouaddou’s faith with a lively display and two goals.

“With Evidence, his last regular game was last season and we wanted to give him the opportunity today and he took it. He was just fantastic, he was moving everywhere and he took up space and I was happy,” Ouaddou said.

Beyond the goals, the Pirates coach was pleased with Makgopa’s movement and ability to occupy spaces in the attacking third — qualities that could prove valuable as the club prepares for a demanding schedule across domestic and continental competitions.

Ouaddou has also made it clear that he wants greater efficiency in front of goal, and Makgopa’s brace arrived at an important time as Pirates look to spread the scoring responsibility across their forward line.

“Now we have Radio (Boitumelo Radiopane), (Yanela) Mbuthuma, (Sebastian) Pedersen and (Sifiso) Luthuli and everyone is scoring so it’s a very good because getting into the group stages will allow me to rotate.”

The coach’s comments point to a potentially significant benefit of Pirates’ return to the Champions League group stage: the opportunity to manage workloads without relying on the same attacking combination for every match.

Radiopane, Mbuthuma, Pedersen and Luthuli will all be competing for opportunities, while Makgopa has strengthened his case with a two-goal contribution on his first start since returning.

For Ouaddou, that competition is a positive. With Pirates still chasing silverware on multiple fronts, having several forwards capable of contributing goals could help the coach maintain freshness and intensity throughout the season.

Makgopa’s display against African Stars was therefore more than a personal milestone. It gave the Pirates coach another option to consider as the Buccaneers prepare to balance the demands of the Betway Premiership, domestic cup competitions and a return to Africa’s premier club tournament.