Orlando Pirates began their weeklong coastal voyage with an important victory as they beat AmaZulu 2-0 in their Betway Premiership clash at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The three points earned in Durban propelled the Buccaneers to the top of the standings halfway through their league campaign. This is after extending their unbeaten streak to an impressive 15 matches, clinching their 11th Premiership win of the season.
In the first of back-to-back fixtures in the World Cup venue, the Buccaneers managed to dictate the tempo from the onset. It was a patience game however, with the home side happy to commit numbers at the back in an attempt to stem the tide.
The Usuthu defence held on for the opening 15 minutes but was eventually unlocked through a moment of magic. This was courtesy of Tshepang Moremi as his clever chip from outside the box located Relebohile Mofokeng, who headed in from close range to bring out his second goal in as many matches.
Having just taken the lead, the Buccaneers had a heart-in-mouth moment in the 19th minute when defender Keegan Allan drew a save from Sipho Chaine with a header from a set piece. That was a rare attack from the hosts, who were back defending soon after as their visitors launched successive waves of attack.
Deon Hotto had a couple of opportunities to get his name on the scoresheet on his return to the starting lineup as he forced AmaZulu goalkeeper Darren Johnson into a reflex save with a shot from a tight angle. He could not find a way past the shot-stopper again when he went direct from a free kick taken just outside the penalty area.
The Usuthu keeper remained the difference between the Buccaneers and a more substantial lead, as he denied midfielder Thalente Mbatha whose trademark long-range attempt could only yield a corner.
Pirates took their slim advantage into the break and were back on the front foot after the restart. They launched a quick counter following a brief scare inside their half when the ball was worked towards Moremi who fired narrowly wide as he cut inside from the right flank.
Shots on target continued to elude the visitors early in the second period, with Mofokeng going over the crossbar with an attempt from the edge of the box in the 55th minute. He then combined with Oswin Appollis, who could not find a way past Johnson before going off target from outside the box when he was set up by Moremi.
With the final whistle looming, AmaZulu sprung into life and created a few nervy moments for Pirates in the final 10 minutes. The best of their late chances was thwarted rather spectacularly by Sipho Chaine who launched himself at a goal bound flick from Teboho Mashigo, turning it away from his goal.
The Buccaneers managed to absorb the late pressure, directing play back into the opposition half. They put the result beyond doubt with a stroke of luck in injury time as Mofokeng’s shot rebounded off the upright before ricocheting off Johnson into the net, making it 2-0 with seconds left on the clock.
That sealed a deserved win for the Soweto Giants, who pulled three points clear at the top of the standings.
Pirates XI: Chaine, Seema, Sibisi, Van Rooyen (Sebelebele 60’), Hotto, Makhaula, Mbatha (Nemtajela 60’), Moremi (Msendami 79’), Mofokeng, Appollis (De Jong 79’), Mbuthuma (Makgopa 88’).
SOURCED FROM THE CLUB’S WEBSITE.
