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Orlando Pirates extended their winning streak in the betway premiership with a 2-0 win against marumo gallants at royal bafokeng stadium on saturday.
The result made it five consecutive wins in the league for the Buccaneers, who signed off with a crucial three-pointer ahead of a lengthy international break. It brought them just a point behind current log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, as they marked their return to the World Cup venue with a crucial away victory.
Arriving in Rustenburg looking to build on their impressive streak, Pirates’ recent winning momentum did not translate into a bright start as they endured a nervy opening period with Gallants looking determined at the start. The visitors however did have an early chance from a set piece, headed wide by defender Lebone Seema who could not replicate his midweek heroics when he rose to meet a corner delivered by Thapelo Mokobodi.
His effort was followed by an attempt from outside the box, this time from a free kick taken by Mokobodi who went narrowly wide with his curling shot. Simphiwe Masilela was next to have a go at the Gallants goal, but could only find the gloves of goalkeeper Merlin Lako with an effort from the edge of the penalty area.
The Buccaneers’ persistence eventually yielded results just after the half-hour mark when a clever chip from Mokobodi found Kabelo Kgositsile, who volleyed past the shot-stopper for the opener.
Their lead came under threat just moments after the goal following an error at the back, but the resultant effort at goal from Onke Moletshe went off target. Despite the slip-up, Pirates became the livelier of the two sides but chances dried up at both ends as the break approached.
Just as they did in the first half, the combination of Mokobodi and Kgositsile nearly produced the goods once more earlier in the second. The midfielder’s ball into the box evaded his teammate by mere inches this time around, with Lako quick to gather.
Mokobodi remained lively, driving towards the Gallants penalty area in the 65th minute before forcing Lako into another save.
He was involved in another decisive moment just moments later when he delivered a pinpoint corner kick which was headed into the back of the net by captain Nkosinathi Sibisi, whose first goal of the season gave the hosts a steep hill to climb with time running out.
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa remained determined, but weren’t allowed the opportunity to conjure something up in the game’s dying moments. The Buccaneers meanwhile maintained control of proceedings, seeing off the remaining minutes as the final whistle approached.
Their two goals proved just enough in the end as they claimed their sixth league win of the season to take their tally to 16 points in the first seven games of their title defence.
Pirates XI: Chaine, Seema, Sibisi, Sebelebele, Ndaba (Rapoo 83’), Selepe, Mokobodi, Masilela (Nemtajela 83’), Kgositsile (Padime 75’), Moremi (Appollis 83’), Mbuthuma (Pedersen 75’).
SOURCED FROM THE CLUB’S WEBSITE.