Orlando Pirates bagged their third league win of the season, beating Richards Bay 1-0 in their Betway Premiership encounter at King Zwelithini Stadium on Sunday.
The Buccaneers maintain a perfect win record in league football while remaining unbeaten across competitions. This is after claiming an away win in their first Premiership clash away from Orlando Stadium through a hard-fought effort against the men from KwaZulu-Natal.
In search of another three point haul, the Soweto Giants were against a stiff challenge with the hosts, who had let in a solitary goal heading into their fourth match of the season. The home side’s defence proved solid early on, denying Tshegofatso Mabasa who went for goal after linking up with Relebohile Mofokeng eight minutes in.
The Bucs striker had another bite at the cherry well into the first quarter, but could only draw a save from goalkeeper Ian Otieno. His effort was soon followed up by a long range attempt from Thalente Mbatha, whose shot floated just inches over the crossbar. Shots continued to fly in from the visitors as Gilberto and Deon Hotto each had a go at Otieno’s goal.
However, neither could affect the scoreboard as the two sides headed into the break still deadlocked.
The home side’s resilience at the back continued to be the difference between the two sides, despite Pirates’ clear dominance in possession. Mbatha was denied by Otieno from a long way out as he looked to pull the visitors ahead shortly after the restart.
Justice Figuareido hit back with an effort of his own at the other end, catching the ball on the half-volley from deep inside the Bucs penalty area only to draw a fantastic save from Sipho Chaine. The Pirates shot-stopper’s opposite number made a similar intervention at the other end soon after, keeping out Mofokeng’s curling effort from outside the box.
Richards Bay had another opportunity through the Eswatini international, who was well off
target with a 72nd minute effort from a fair distance outside the box. A late set piece handed the Buccaneers a golden opportunity with nine minutes of regulation time remaining. This was after second-half substitute Kabelo Dlamini was brought down just outside the penalty area.
The midfielder was the one entrusted with set piece duties resulting from the foul and produced a trademark stunner which left Otieno motionless on its way to rattling the net for the game’s opener. Having taken the lead with very little remaining on the clock, the visitors were left with the heft task of seeing out a determined effort from the home side. Nothing could come off the Natal Rich Boyz’ desperate search for the equaliser, with the Buccaneers standing firm to claim three more league points in their final league game before the October international break.
Pirates XI: Chaine, Sesane (Sibisi 46’), Maela, Van Rooyen, Hotto, Mbatha (Dlamini 63’),
Makhaula, Gilberto (Nkota 77’), Mofokeng (Mako 90+2’), Maswanganyi, Mabasa ( Makgopa
63’).
