Orlando Pirates were a class above Chippa United as they clinched a comfortable 3-0 in their Betway Premiership clash played at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Sunday.
The win in Gqeberha was the third league victory in a row for the Soweto Giants, who have shook off a nervy start to the current league campaign to quickly rack up nine points in their three most recent games. It was also the perfect result ahead of the September international break, with their next fixture only taking place in a little less than two weeks.
Back on the road after midweek success on home turf, the Buccaneers’ confidence was evident early on in Gqeberha. They immediately set up camp inside opposition territory, but the sustained pressure on the home side was not rewarded straight away with Chippa effective in preventing entry into their defensive third for most of the opening 10 minutes.
They did not hold on for long, however, as the visitors edged ahead as early as the 10th minute when Patrick Maswanganyi finished from inside the box to bag his third goal across competitions this season – his second in the league. The goal came following a misplaced pass deep inside the Chilli Boys’ half of the pitch, where the Bucs midfielder got on the end of a neat pass from striker Evidence Makgopa and made no mistake as he calmly slotted home.
Soon after putting Pirates ahead, he nearly benefited off more nervy defence from the hosts as Oswin Appollis effected the turnover before releasing a pass. However, Maswanganyi could not find a way past Chippa keeper Stanley Nwabali this time around with the Nigerian international pulling off a reflex save to keep his side’s deficit at a minimum.
Bucs keeper Sipho Chaine was called upon to cut out a few balls delivered into his penalty area during the middle part of the first half, but none posed a significant threat. The home side meanwhile, struggled to shake off the defensive errors as Appollis almost had a hand in providing the second for the visitors, but Nwabali was able to recover and effect a save.
However, the Chippa shot-stopper had no answer for the next shot fired in his direction, as the Soweto Giants made it 2-0 moments before the break. The decisive touch came off Deon Hotto, who ran onto a perfectly-weighted pass from Appollis before producing a left-footed shot that proved too powerful for Nwabali.
Pirates took a two-goal lead into the break, and the start of the second period wasn’t short of drama as they were awarded a chance to extend their lead further following a foul on Makgopa in the 50th minute. The referee pointed to the spot, with Maswanganyi stepping up to take the penalty. He could not complete his brace however, with Nwabali guessing correctly before keeping his effort out.
There was the odd chance at the other end of the pitch, with Justice Figuaredo going wide as he headed at goal from a set piece in the 53rd minute. Pressure however remained sustained in one half as Kamogelo Sebelebele looked to provide the Buccaneers’ third with an attempt from close range, only to be denied by Nwabali.
Changes were made from both dugouts, and it was movement from the Bucs bench that triggered the game’s next big moment. It came off replacement winger Tshepang Moremi, who netted his first goal for the club when he was left unmarked on the right before collecting a pass from Appollis, hitting it first time into the far corner for the games’ third.
Moremi fired wide with his next effort at goal as he and Appollis connected once more inside the last 10 minutes. Chippa had a last-gasp opportunity at a late consolation through a set piece, spurned by Ruzaigh Gamildien who curled his attempt over the Buccaneers’ crossbar.
That last chance told the story of a disappointing outing for the hosts, while the Buccaneers cruised to their biggest win of the season to climb from ninth to fifth place in the Premiership standings.
Pirates XI: Chaine, Seema, Mbokazi, Lebitso (Shandu 87’), Hotto, Nduli, Mbatha (Mbule 74’), Maswanganyi (Mofokeng 74’), Sebelebele (Moremi 62’), Appollis, Makgopa (Mabasa 87’).
