Orlando Pirates marked their return to league football with a hard-earned 1-0 win away to Siwelele in their Betway Premiership fixture played at Free State Stadium on Tuesday night.
The victory made it four Premiership wins and as many clean sheets in a row with a gritty effort on the road. It’s a result that propelled them from eighth place to fourth in the standings with more midweek league action still to come.
Having remained in Bloemfontein after the weekend’s CAF Champions League triumph, the Buccaneers quickly assumed control of possession without creating any significant opportunities. The opening exchanges did feature some half chances, with the home side getting the first of the lot when Bucs goalkeeper Sipho Chaine was called into action in the seventh minute after a set piece delivered by Pogiso Sanoka swung dangerously close to the goal line.
Pirates hit back with an attack of their own, getting close to an early opener when Deon Hotto’s cross from the left found Relebohile Mofokeng who did not connect well enough to direct the ball on target. Thalente Mbatha followed up with a wayward effort from outside the box moments before Tshegofatso Mabasa achieved a similar result with a header flick from another Hotto cross.
It was not all quiet at the other end, where Chibuike Ohizu threatened with a header from inside the box in the 15th minute. Siwelele remained in Pirates territory with Vincent Pule fancying a shot from range, only to fire wide of the target.
A set piece late in the first half yielded a chance for Patrick Maswanganyi, whose volleyed shot from the edge of the box was directed straight at Siwelele goalkeeper Ricardo Goss. That summed up a frustrating first 45 minutes for the Buccaneers, who had struggled for rhythm throughout the opening half.
The lack of clear chances spilled over into the second period as the home side maintained their defensive discipline. Second-half sub Oswin Appollis managed to deliver a line-breaking pass for Mofokeng, who did well to turn on the edge of the box, only to land his shot narrowly wide of the target.
Appollis had a chance of his own through a 77th minute free kick taken in front of the Siwelele goal, going narrowly close with his effort at goal.
The Bucs forward did not have to wait much longer to make the breakthrough as he once again made a telling impact on the game. He got on the end of a flicked pass from Evidence Makgopa before slotting home past Goss from the edge of the box.
This set up a frantic finish with the home side immediately setting off in search of the equaliser. Christian Saile had the goal in his sights from point-blank range, but Chaine was in the perfect position to make a save.
A late free kick afforded the men in green a last-gasp opportunity at stealing a point, and it looked as if they would draw level following an awkward bounce. Chaine was however able to readjust, sticking a foot out to direct the ball out of play.
It was then left for Pirates to control matters and preserve their lead and they did so successfully in the end, claiming three more points to continue their ascent up the standings.
Pirates XI: Chaine, Seema, Mbokazi, Lebitso, Hotto, Nduli, Mbatha (Appollis 46’), Maswanganyi (Dansin 46’), Sebelebele (Moremi 58’), Mofokeng (Nemtajela 84’), Mabasa (Makgopa 72’).
