Orlando Pirates dropped to seventh spot on the DStv Premiership table after losing 2-1 to Cape Town City FC on Saturday evening.
DStv Premiership
Result: Cape Town City 2-1 Orlando Pirates
Date: 07 January 2023
Venue: DHL Stadium
With both Richard Ofori and Siyabonga Mpontshane out injured, shot-stopper Sipho Chaine got his debut in goal for the Buccaneers, while Kabelo Dlamini, Thabang Monare and Bandile Shandu were recalled.
Jose Riveiro's charges were quick off the blocks as just two minutes in Monnapule Saleng unleashed a cracking shot from an angle that was tipped over the crossbar by goalkeeper Darren Keet.
The visitors were forceful going forward, with Deon Hotto getting the breakthrough with 20 minutes on the clock after blasting into the top corner from just inside the box.
The Citizens weren't behind for too long after Juan Zapata connected with a well-weighted cross by Lyle Lakay and sent a fine header past Chaine for got his first goal for the club.
The game opened up towards the halftime interval and Hotto wasted a big chance close to goal at the near post with a cut-back that evaded everyone, needing just a tap-in at the back post.
The second stanza took time to produce goal-mouth action but Riveiro's men shaded the exchanges, as Kermit Erasmus had his first crack at goal with a strike from distance that was smothered by Keet.
The Spanish mentor, however, had already made up his mind to replace Erasmus shortly before the hour-mark, as Evidence Makgopa was finally handed his debut off the bench.
As the game opened up, Eric Tinkler added the pace of Darwin Gonzalez upfront for fresh legs in place of Zapata and the substitute made the perfect impact by giving City the lead in the last 16 minutes with a neat finish from Marc van Heerden's cross.
Just after going behind, Pirates introduced Vincent Pule for fresh legs in attack while Martin got his debut against his former team.
The Soweto giants pushed numbers going forward, as they held City in their own half in the closing stages but the home side were resolute and secured the win that moved them up to sixth on the table. Pirates, meanwhile, dropped down to seventh on the standings with a third straight loss.
Cape Town City: 16. Keet, 2. Mkhize, 15. Cupido, 12. Fielies, 24. Lakay, 3. Mokeke, 5. Ambina, 17. Zapata, 26. Nodada, 10. Mdantsane, 21. Mani.
Subs: 31. Mpandle, 19. Lekay, 23. Rhodes, 7. Kajally, 13. Van Heerden, 8. Makola, 41. Daniels, 9. Gonzalez, 27. Goedeman
Orlando Pirates: 34. Chaine, 23. Maela, 5. Sibisi, 27. Xoki, 26. Shandu, 4. Timm, 16. Monare, 18. Dlamini, 14. Saleng, 7. Hotto, 95. Erasmus
Subs: 35. Thuntsane, 45. Pule, Martin, 29. Mako, 25. Lepasa, 17. Makgopa, 15. Ndlondlo, 11. Makaringe, 6. Motshwari.
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