Orlando Pirates Reserves claimed a hard-fought 1-0 win over Sekhukhune United in their DStv Diski Challenge clash at Isak Steyl Stadium on Saturday.
The result made it two wins in the last two matches for the Bucs Reserves as they cemented their spot near the top of the standings. They first had to deal with a nervy start as the visitors came out all guns blazing with the hopes of grabbing an early lead.
Babina Noko were not able to make their early aggression count as the home side came out unscathed. It took the Buccaneers eight minutes to really trouble the opposition goal as they went forward through defensive pair Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Senzelumusa Sibiya with the latter eventually getting a shot away, only to be denied by goalkeeper Ratisani Kgoleng.
Another five minutes elapsed before they found another chance as Cemran Dansin connected with Siphamandla Msezane, whose shot was deflected away from the Babina Noko goal. After further surges into the opposition half, Pirates’ toil paid off in the 24th minute when Msezane got on the end of another pass from Dansin, making no mistake the second time around as he finished past Kgoleng to make it 1-0.
Sloppy work at the back nearly led to another goal for the Bucs striker, who was located by Simphiwe Masilela before firing over the bar. Looking to draw level, the visitors came close to affecting the scoreboard just after the half- hour mark when they pushed deep into Pirates territory just to be denied by the woodwork.
They were presented with another chance soon after as the referee pointed to the spot after Bucs defender Jabulani Mokone committed a foul inside the penalty area. Samkele Sihlali stepped forward to take the penalty, but could not convert as he fired off target.
Pirates were able to hang on to their slim lead for the rest of the first half and came out in the
second period looking to double their lead. Opportunities eluded them however as they
encountered a Sekhukhune side determined to find an equaliser.
A succession of chances failed to yield results for the visitors with Bucs goalkeeper Ethan
Visagie making a couple of saves after the hour mark. They wasted a glorious opportunity
late in the contest when they surged deep into the opposition half, only to muster up a
wayward effort.
Pirates replacement forward Seth Green had the chance to put the result beyond doubt in
injury time when he worked his way into space but misfired with his shot at goal. That did not prove costly in the end, with the Bucs Reserves seeing out the remaining
seconds to make it eight points in their first four games.
Pirates Reserves XI: Visagie, Mbokazi, Ralenkoane, Mokone, Sibiya, Selepe, Ngwenya,
Dansin (Magadla 55’), Masilela (Green 55’), Mohlala, Msezane.
