PIRATES POWER PAST DURBAN CITY
Orlando Pirates made a welcome return to Betway Premiership action as they muscled their way through a stiff challenge from Durban City to walk off 2-0 victors in their clash played at Orlando Amstel Arena on Thursday night.
The result pulled the home side three points closer to the summit of the table, marking an empathic return to domestic action after spending the past two weeks focused on their continental ambitions. It took their winning streak in the Premiership to four matches, keeping their standing as one of three teams yet to taste defeat in the league this season.
The Buccaneers were not short of nerves at the start, and their early jitters could have proven costly in the opening exchanges if not for Sipho Chaine’s intervention. Making his 150th appearance in the club’s colours, the shot-stopper was the difference between the home side and an early deficit as he stuck out a foot following some defensive miscommunication, eventually denying Tylo Sanger in a one-on-one situation.
Failure to find rhythm early on prevented the hosts from sparking some early chances amid an aggressive start from their visitors. Midfielder Simphiwe Masilela had a couple of chances to edge Pirates ahead early on, along with Mthetheleli Mthiyane whose effort from a distance lacked the necessary power needed to trouble goalkeeper Fredrick Asare.
The Ghanaian shot-stopper’s opposite number was meanwhile tasked with more work at the opposite end when striker Jean Lumumba connected with a chip from Brooklyn Poggenpoel, which created another threatening one-on-one.
Having gotten out of a testing opening period still unscathed, the Buccaneers sought to pull their noses ahead early in the second half. They nearly did so in the 50th minute through Kamogelo Sebelebele, whose effort from a tight angle was kept out by Asare.
That attack was followed up by an even closer call set up by Kabelo Kgositsile, who linked up with Mbuthuma after doing well to keep the ball in play amid some attention on the byline. His cutback set up a chance for Mbuthuma, who was unable to capitalise as his effort was cleared off the line.
Unrelenting in their pursuit for the opener, Pirates’ persistence eventually paid off in the 58th minute when defender Lebone Seema found the net for the second time in the league this season. He was the recipient of a pinpoint cross from Kgositsile and made no mistake in nodding home from close range to produce what was a deserved goal for the hosts.
The Buccaneers attacking intent in the second period denied the Durbanites any impetus in their push for the equaliser. It took the home side just 11 minutes to drive home their advantage as they made it 2-0 through Tshepang Moremi, who got on the end of some excellent work from Masilela down the left flank before firing in from the edge of the box.
That gave them some vital breathing space in the fixture, as they were tasked with controlling proceedings for the remaining 20 minutes. The visitors were unrelenting in the dying moments, but the Bucs defensive wall was able to stand firm amid the challenge.
They kept out the threat from the opposition late on in the encounter and were able to turn up victorious in what was their penultimate fixture before the September international break.
Pirates XI: Chaine, Seema, Sibisi, Sebelebele, Ndaba, Mokobodi, Mthiyane (Selepe 73’), Masilela (Mabuza 83’), Kgositsile (Appollis 73’), Moremi (Padime 83’), Mbuthuma (Pedersen 73’)
SOURCED FROM PIRATES WEBSITE
