Absa Premiership
Result: Orlando Pirates 1-0 Chippa United
Date: 19 August 2017
Venue: Orlando Stadium
Thamsanqa Gabuza's first-half header was enough to hand Orlando Pirates a 1-0 win over Chippa United in their opening Absa Premiership encounter. View The PSL Results Pirates nearly broke the deadlock after seven minutes when Mpho Makola was slipped through on goal, but Brighton Mhlongo produced a good save at his near post.Chippa, meanwhile, struggled to settle down with their usual possession-based game and spent the opening 20 minutes chasing the ball.
The visitors were gifted a chance in the 31st minute when Sekola pounced on Thamsanqa Sangweni's sloppy pass, but Wayne Sandilands rushed off his line to deny the striker.
However, Pirates took the lead in the 36th minute when Innocent Maela's fine cross found Gabuza, who headed home from six-yards out.
Both sides were guilty of being careless with the ball on numerous occasions, which led to a sloppy final 10 minutes in the half.
The score remained 1-0 to the Buccaneers as the sides entered the halftime break.
Dan Malesela opted for a change five minutes into the second half, as Kurt Lentjies made way for Abel Mabaso.
With the game slowing down, Milutin Sredojevic opted to withdraw Musa Nyatama for the pacy Luvuyo Memela after the hour mark.
Pirates continued from where they left off in the first half, as the likes of Makola and Thamsanqa Sangweni saw a lot of the ball in the middle of the park.
After a quiet spell, Sandilands then came to Pirates' rescue in the 80th minute, as the shot-stopper produced a fine save at his near post to deny Sekola.
The Buccaneers managed to see off a late surge from Chippa to claim the victory in the opening round of fixtures.
Here's how they line up:
Pirates: 40. Sandilands (GK), 6. Shitolo, 34. Nyauza, Matlaba , 23. Maela, 45. Mobara, 21. Sangweni, 5. Makola, 15. Qalinge, 14. Nyatama, 31. Gabuza. Chippa: 29. Mhlongo, 7. Mako, 24. Thopola, 2. Okwuosa, 20. Mdinzo, 15. Zuke, 32. Lentjies, 50. Masuku, 4. Macheke, 9. Sekola, 10. Mbenyane.
