Orlando Pirates have set an impressive new record after defeating Richards Bay FC 1-0 in Betway Premiership action on Tuesday night.
Betway Premiership
Result: Orlando Pirates 1-0 Richards Bay
Date: 05 November 2024
Venue: Orlando Stadium
The Buccaneers have now set a new club record by starting a league campaign with seven consecutive wins.
Pirates made only one change following their win over TS Galaxy, as Patrick Maswanganyi was recalled and he joined Relebohile Mofokeng, Mohau Nkota and Evidence Makgopa upfront.
It took up until midway into the first stanza for the Buccaneers to have a sight of goal but it did not result into a shot after Makgopa took his eyes off the ball in the box.
The hosts eventually went ahead moments later after Makgopa pounced on a rebound from a save by goalkeeper Ian Otieno, with a finish from close-range, after Otieno could not hold into a low drive by Thabiso Monyane from range.
The Soweto giants remained on the front foot and Monyane came close to doubling their lead ten minutes before the interval with a dipping strike that produced an acrobatic save from Otieno.
Richards Bay were fortunate not to head to the break trailing 2-0 after Thabiso Sesane, on the stroke of half-time, had a glancing header that missed the far post by a whisker.
Pirates were looking to kill the game early in the second stanza, as ten minutes from the break Nkota almost doubled their lead with a threatening shot from the edge of the box that drew a save from Otieno.
The Buccaneers continued to control the game and with 20 minutes to go, Nkosinathi Sibisi almost gave them an insurance goal with a strike in the six-yard box that was smothered by the Kenyan goalkeeper.
The Spanish coach required fresh legs for the final 15 minutes, as Tshegofatso Mabasa replaced Makgopa and Monnapule Saleng came on for Nkota.
Pirates, however, slowed down the tempo of the game but Saleng nearly made it 2-0 in the dying minutes with a curling shot that brought the best out of Otieno.
The Natal Rich did not have much to offer in attack, as the Soweto giants held on to their seventh straight win and pulled six points clear of second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns at the top of the standings.
Here's how they lined up:
Orlando Pirates: 24. Chaine, 36. Sesane, 5. Sibisi, 2. Monyane, 7. Hotto, 16. Mbatha, 8. Makhaula, 28. Maswanganyi, 33. Nkota, 33. Mofokeng, 17. Makgopa
Subs: 35. Buthelezi, 23. Maela, 29. Mako, 31. Rasebotja, 25. Kimvuidi, 14. Saleng, 18. Dlamini, 11. Gilberto, 19. Mabasa
Richards Bay: 1. Otieno, 2. Gcaba, 3. Ndaba, 72, Mabua, 25. Mcineka, 6. Mthethwa, 22. Mabuya, 20. Mthembu, 27. Bomelo, 14. Sithebe, 45. Ntsundwana
Subs: 16. Magoola, 4. Allan, 36. Zikhali, 36. S.Dube, 23. Figareido, 35. Ndelu, 17. Gumede, 19. Buthelezi, 34. Sibanyoni
