Orlando Pirates claimed a convincing 3-0 win in their Betway Premiership against Polokwane City, which took place at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday.
It’s six points in two Premiership outings for the Buccaneers, who remain unbeaten in all competitions this season with victories in each of their six home outings. Returning to league football after success in continental cup competition, the Buccaneers were in search of three points against the men from Limpopo.
They controlled possession from the onset, sparking chances as early as the third minute when Tshegofatso Mabasa’s shot from inside the box met a deflection that turned it away from the City goal.
It wasn’t all quiet at the other end, with the visitors getting close through Thabo Matuludi, whose header from a corner looped over the crossbar.
The home side however had more glances at the opposition goal as Relebohile Mofokeng, Mabasa, and Mofokeng each fired wide with their attempts in the first quarter. Deano van Rooyen followed suit on the half-hour mark with his attempt from range yielding a similar result, and it was not until one minute from the break when they were presented with their next opportunity via a free kick on the edge of the box after a foul on Mofokeng.
The set piece was taken by Dlamini, whose shot was deflected out for a corner. The midfielder manufactured another chance on the stroke of halftime and came just inches from the breakthrough when his curling effort landed narrowly wide. Pirates remained in control after the break and were rewarded 10 minutes after the start of the second half when Monnapule Saleng expertly found the target from a tight angle after linking up on the left flank with Mofokeng.
The visitors charged for the equaliser, with the Bucs defence holding firm. They could have drawn level in the 73rd minute as Cole Alexander headed at goal from close range, but his effort was well off target. At the other end, Mofokeng had the opportunity to double the lead as he cut in from the left before launching a shot, which made for a comfortable grab for goalkeeper Manuel Sapunga.
The City shot-stopper had no answer for the next attempt at his goal as Karim Kimvuidi’s powerful shot struck the upright before Evidence Makgopa pounced on the rebound, poking the ball into the net to make it 2-0 with five minutes left to play. The tall striker was not done as he again showed up at the right place at the right time to collect a misplaced pass inside the visitors’ penalty area to fire past Sapunga for Pirates’ third.
Looking for a late consolation, Manuel Kambala fired a wayward shot past the Buccaneers goal and the hosts closed out the game to ensure that all points on offer remained in Soweto.
Pirates XI: Chaine, Sesane, Ndah (Sibisi 83’), Van Rooyen, Hotto, Mbatha, Maswanganyi,
Dlamini (Makhaula 73’), Saleng (Kimvuidi 55’), Mabasa (Makgopa 83’), Mofokeng.
