Cristian Derbyshire confident Pirates can beat La Cure Waves in CAF Champions League

Pirates were held to a goalless draw by the Mauritian side at the Cote-d'Or National Sports Complex on Sunday evening, despite dominating large periods of the encounter and creating several chances.

The 20-year-old Derbyshire, who made his made his senior team debut for the Buccaneers, admitted that the result was not what they wanted but believes taking a point away from home could prove valuable ahead of the return fixture.

"It's never easy going away from home, even the country, to play outside, it's never easy. I think we played well, we just didn't take our chances. We dominated the game and the other team just sat back," the defender told the Bucs media.

"But it was a good performance, just not the result we wanted. But we got a point away from home, so it's going to be beneficial for us when we go back because we know how it is when we go back home."

The Buccaneers struggled to find the breakthrough despite creating opportunities in both halves.

Boitumelo Radiopane came closest in the opening period, forcing La Cure Waves goalkeeper Jean Ramdiane into a fine save in the 15th minute before missing another opportunity from a cross in the 36th minute.

After the interval, Deon Hotto became more influential and twice tested Ramdiane from set pieces, in the 49th and 63rd minutes.

The Namibian winger also attempted a long-range effort in the 70th minute, but could not find the target.

Pirates will now turn their attention to the second leg at Orlando Amstel Arena next weekend, where they will look to secure the victory needed to advance to the second preliminary round.

The Buccaneers were eliminated at this stage last season and will be determined to avoid another early Champions League exit.