Orlando Pirates netted twice in the second half to bag a 2-0 win in their DStv Premiership fixture against Cape Town City at Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday.
The Soweto Giants put on another commanding performance on the road to clinch their first-ever league win away to the Citizens, who remain in search of their first win since December.
Heading into the fixture on the back of Sunday’s convincing win, they were kept quiet throughout the early part of their encounter with the Capetonians in a first half that produced minimal chances at both ends.
The home side had a go at the Pirates goal ten minutes in through defender Keanu Cupido, but his long-range effort failed to trouble Sipho Chaine as the Bucs shot-stopper made a comfortable save.
Chaine’s opposite number Darren Keet enjoyed a largely quiet afternoon until well into the opening period when he was called upon following a second phase attack from a corner. The Citizens keeper was drawn into a save by Tshegofatso Mabasa, who made an excellent turn towards goal before releasing a shot from close range.
The Bucs striker had another go in the 34th minute, this time from a long way out, and sent his shot drifting off target. It turned out to be the last of Pirates’ first-half chances as both sides struggled for rhythm right through the opening period.
Much of the action remained in the home side’s half of the pitch in the second half, with Pirates continuing to control matters. They were however unable to produce shots at goal until the 58th minute when Relebohile Mofokeng ran onto a lovely pass from Lesedi Kapinga before forcing Keet into a save.
The teenager would have a hand in the breakthrough just seconds later when he popped up near the halfway line before threading a perfectly weighted pass from Mabasa, who needed no second invitation to add to his goal tally as he calmly slotted home.
The hosts looked to hit back in the 71st minute with Khanyisa Mayo heading at goal from close range, but Chaine was equal to the task. Pirates responded with a chance of their own following a swift counter, which ended as Kapinga went just over the crossbar with his shot from inside the penalty area.
Just as they had broken the deadlock moments after a close call, the Buccaneers doubled their lead in the very next moment. This came via a move initiated by Thalente Mbatha, who turned possession over in the middle of the park, with Thabiso Monyane, Kabelo Dlamini, and Mofokeng all getting a touch before Mabasa notched up his 13th league goal of the season with another composed finish.
Defender Nkosinathi Sibisi could have produced a third goal in the last 10 minutes, but his effort from just in front of goal was kept out.
City launched a desperate search for a goal in the game’s dying moments, with Mayo and Jaedin Rhodes both failing to find the target, while Marc van Heerden managed to draw a save from Chaine when he went direct from a free kick.
Despite being forced to defend throughout injury time, the Buccaneers were able to hang on for another three points as they stretched their winning run in the league to four matches.
Pirates XI: Chaine, Xoki, Sesane (Sibisi 69’), Monyane, Hotto, Mbatha (Ndlondlo 90’), Timm, Dlamini, Mofokeng (Kimvuidi 90’), Kapinga (Otladisa 77’), Mabasa (Makgopa 77’).
