Orlando Pirates continued their impressive start to the Betway Premiership season with a 2-0 victory over Sekhukhune United at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Tuesday night.
The Buccaneers returned to their home ground in winning fashion, securing another three points to strengthen their position at the top of the standings.
The victory also maintained Orlando Pirates’ unbeaten start to their title defence, while their second home league win of the campaign came with another clean sheet.
Updated Betway Premiership standings
Radiopane breaks the deadlock
Orlando Pirates made four changes to the team that faced Sekhukhune United over the weekend, but they quickly settled into their rhythm.
Sbangani Zulu came close to making an immediate impact in the third minute when he connected with a Simphiwe Masilela cross, only for Sekhukhune United goalkeeper Melusi Buthelezi to make the save.
The visitors created a few openings early on, particularly when Orlando Pirates failed to clear their lines inside the box, but the home side soon regained control.
Their pressure was eventually rewarded in the 36th minute.
Making his first start of the season, Boitumelo Radiopane found the back of the net after being picked out by Kamogelo Sebelebele inside the box. The striker kept his composure to beat Buthelezi from a tight angle and give Orlando Pirates the lead.
Sekhukhune United responded before the break, with Bradley Mojela heading wide from inside the penalty area.
Mojela was presented with another opportunity on the stroke of half-time but again failed to find the target.
Appollis seals the points
Sekhukhune United continued to push for an equaliser after the restart and came close once again in the 55th minute when Mokibelo Ramabu headed wide from close range.
Orlando Pirates, however, were far more clinical when their opportunities arrived.
Just after the hour mark, Oswin Appollis doubled the Buccaneers’ advantage on his birthday.
Radiopane played a decisive role in the build-up, taking Buthelezi out of the equation before delivering a perfectly weighted square pass for Appollis to finish into an open net.
Sekhukhune United refused to surrender and continued looking for a way back into the contest, but Orlando Pirates’ defence stood firm.
The visitors created a couple of late chances during stoppage time, but Sipho Chaine was equal to the first, using excellent positioning to deny Tshepo Mokoena from close range.
Chaine was then able to comfortably collect D’Angelo Kazeem’s effort from outside the box as Orlando Pirates closed out the victory.
Orlando Pirates take momentum into cup clash
The Buccaneers’ efficiency in front of goal ultimately proved the difference, with Sekhukhune United left to rue their missed opportunities.
For Orlando Pirates, the result represents another important step in their title defence.
They now take three points, another clean sheet and valuable confidence into the weekend’s MTN8 semi-final second leg encounter, also against Sekhukhune United.
The Buccaneers hold a 1-0 advantage from the first leg.
The second leg clash will take place at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday, 29 August at 15:00.
