Terrence Dzvukamanja continued his fine form after scoring in Orlando Pirates' 2-1 victory over TS Galaxy on Sunday afternoon.
DStv Premiership
Result: TS Galaxy 1-2 Orlando Pirates
Date: 30 April 2023
Venue: Mbombela Stadium
Pirates made two changes to the side that beat Cape Town City last weekend, as Tapelo Xoki and Thabiso Monyane returned to the line-up while Thembinkosi Lorch did not recover from his injury in time to feature.
The Buccaneers had a perfect start after Terrence Dzvukamanja gave them the lead within two minutes from the start with a glancing header at the near post following a corner.
Jose Riveiro's charges, however, could not get into a passing rhythm, as they were quickly closed down by Galaxy, who were defending deep in their own half.
The Rockets had spaces on counter-attacks and Kamogelo Sebelebele had a chance just before the half-hour mark from a cross but he guided his header in the box wide.
Sead Ramovic's men grew in the game after that and Given Msimango eventually pulled them level six minutes before the interval with a flicked header at the near post that was helped into the back of the net by Miguel Timm at the back post following a corner.
Pirates had a high press on Galaxy after the break and their pressure paid off just before the hour-mark as Deon Hotto restored their lead with a header that goalkeeper Melusi Buthelezi could only parry over the line from a headed pass by Nkosinathi Sibisi.
The Buccaneers refreshed the side with a double change seven minutes later as Kermit Erasmus replaced Dzvukamanja upfront and Makhehlene Makhaula came on in a defensive switch in place of Timm in midfield.
Galaxy had a fight in them as Tshegofatso Nyama had a chance to level matters in the last 15 minutes with a low diagonal shot in the box that forced shot-stopper Sipho Chaine to stretch in the box and blocked the shot his legs.
The game was on the edge in the dying minutes as the Rockets were desperate for the equaliser while Pirates looked to punish them on counter-attacks.
Monnapule Saleng should have made it 3-1 for Riveiro's men in stoppage time after he went clear on goal but was denied by Buthelezi in a one-on-one but Pirates did enough to clinch their fifth consecutive victory.
The Buccaneers leapfrogged SuperSport United in second place by two points and steered five points ahead of fourth-placed Kaizer Chiefs, with three matches left.
Here's how they lined up:
TS Galaxy: 38. Buthelezi, 23. Munyai, 5. Msimango, 4. M. Mahlangu, 6. Seedat, 8. Mbunjana, 20. Mlambo, 7. Mongae, 49. Sebelebele, 35. Mbatha, 37. Medina Rodriguez
Subs: 32. Kolak, 30. Mere, 15. Aubaas, 17. Parker, 13. Mathekgane, 11. Nyama, 28. Phohlongo, 14. Radebe, 45. Seema
Orlando Pirates: 34. Chaine, 5. Sibisi, 27. Xoki, 2. Monyane, 29. Mako, 4. Timm, 16. Monare, 14. Saleng, 11. Hotto, 18. Dlamini, 37. Dzvukamanja
Subs: 40. Mpontshane, 39. Mthethwa, 38. Ratomo, 36. Makhaula, 26. Shandu, 17. Makgopa, 15. Ndlondlo, 11. Makaringe, 95. Erasmus
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