Orlando Pirates ended their four-game winless run across all competitions with a 2-0 victory over Golden Arrows in the DStv Premiership on Tuesday night.
DStv Premiership
Result: Golden Arrows 0-2 Orlando Pirates
Date: 18 October 2022
Venue: Princess Magogo Stadium
Pirates made three changes from their draw against AmaZulu, as goalkeeper Siyabonga Mpontshane replaced the injured Richard Ofori, Thabiso Monyane returned from suspension and Kabelo Dlamini was recalled in midfield.
The Buccaneers had a quick start as Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo came very close to giving them the lead inside the first two minutes with a looping strike from close range that came off the crossbar.
However, Monnapule Saleng gave Jose Riveiro's charges the lead four minutes later with a low strike in the box after an unselfish cut-back back by Kermit Erasmus.
Arrows had a fight in them going forward but they were punished on a counter-attack on 24 minutes after Saleng doubled the lead for Pirates with a strike that slipped under goalkeeper Nkosingiphile Gumede after another link up with Erasmus.
The visitors dropped deep in their own half but were a threat on transitions as Deon Hotto had a big chance to grab a third goal towards end of the first stanza from a rebound that found him unmarked at the back post but he fired his shot wide across goal.
Pirates were on the front foot coming from the interval, with Ndlondlo forcing a save out of Gumede with a thumping effort just minutes after the restart.
However, the Soweto giants could not maintain their intensity and Riveiro made a couple of changes, most notably on 65 minutes as Zakhele Lepasa replaced Erasmus and Paseka Mako came on for Innocent Maela.
Pirates could still not regain their rhythm and that gave Arrows hope going forward as Pule Mmodi had a big chance ten minutes before time after a rebound fell in his path at the back post but he scuffed his shot.
The Buccaneers locked the game by defending deep and in numbers in the dying minutes and Mpontshane preserved the visitors' clean sheet in stoppage time with a fine save to deny Mmodi a consolation goal with a dipping strike.
As a result, Pirates secured their first victory over Arrows since 2018 and took the side up to fourth spot on the table.
Here's how they lined up:
Golden Arrows: 32. Gumede, 37. Ndlovu, 35. Manthsiyane, 15. Zuke, 3. Lunga, 23. Dube, 24. Dlamini, 13. Mmodi, 11. Sibiya, 12. Ndwandwe, 7. Magawana.
Subs: 28. Mbatha, 30. Cele, 25. Nkosi, 26. Magubane, 5. Shitolo, 9. Moon, 2. Gumbi, 4. Khumalo, 29. Mjengu
Orlando Pirates: 40. Mpontshane, 23. Maela, 5. Sibisi, 49. Ndah, 4. Timm, 18. Dlamini, 2. Monyane, 11. Hotto, 14. Saleng, 15. Ndlondlo, 95. Erasmus
Subs: 34. Chaine, 46. Peprah, 29. Mako, 27. Xoki, 25. Lepasa, 9. Makgopa, 12. Makgaka, 15. Makaringe, 6. Motshwari
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