Orlando Pirates toiled hard on their return to Orlando Amstel Arena where they ground out a 2-0 win over Richards Bay on Wednesday night’s Betway Premiership encounter.
That gritty display secured three crucial points, pulling the Buccaneers back to the top of the standings with two thirds of the campaign done and dusted. The result ensured that the race to the finish remained finely poised as it enters what promises to be an exciting final stretch.
Going into the clash with pressure on after slipping from first to second place in the standings, the home side had the better of the few chances created at both ends inside the opening quarter.
They fashioned the first shot on target, courtesy of a firmly struck shot from midfielder Thalente Mbatha who battered goalkeeper Ian Otieno’s gloves from range in the sixth minute. The Kenyan international was then drawn into another save inside the first 10 minutes when he had to dive low to keep out a tricky left-footed effort from Deon Hotto, who went for goal from a free kick taken just outside the penalty area.
Another set piece led to the visitors’ first opportunity with Bucs keeper Sipho Chaine forced low to his left to deny Moses Mthembu, who also chose the direct route. That turned out to be a brief interruption of a controlled start from Pirates as they continued to dictate the tempo.
The Buccaneers managed to find the breakthrough right before the half-hour mark when Kamogelo Sebelebele’s cutback from the right located Oswin Appollis, who expertly lost his marker before turning the ball into the net.
There were chances to extend the lead soon after the opener, but both Patrick Maswanganyi and Hotto failed to find the decisive touch. Further opportunities in the first half fell to striker Yanela Mbuthuma, who was also unable to convert with the Buccaneers eventually having to make do with a slim lead at the break.
They were quick off the blocks in the second half, getting close to a second when Mbatha’s cross from the left found its way towards Mbuthuma who was not afforded the chance to get a shot away for what would have been an easy tap-in. More close calls followed as Hotto popped up inside the penalty area where he met an inviting cross from Tshepang Moremi before he was again denied by Otieno.
