Orlando Pirates moved back to the top of the Betway Premiership standings after a 2-0 win over Kaizer Chiefs at sold out FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The first shock of the game came before the whistle when Bruce Bvuma was listed in the starting XI for his first start of the season, while second choice Fiacre Ntwari was on the bench, as Brandon Petersen was ruled out due to an injury.
In a match with plenty on the line in the context of the title race, there were sold bold decisions either side, as Pule Mmodi returned for Chiefs and Thalante Mbatha went straight into the line-up after recovering from injury.
Pirates started the brighter of the two sides and opened the scoring with the first shot of the game after Deon Hotto’s short-corner found Tshepang Moremi on the edge of the area – his shot deflected through the legs of Flavio Da Silva and past Bvuma into the back of the net.
Oswin Appollis made it 2-0 with a composed after being set up by Relebohile Mofokeng to give the Buccaneers a deserved two-goal cushion.
The game went into the break with Chiefs having no shots on target, nor on goal, despite having more possession, while Pirates made it count with two goals from their three shots on target.
In the second half, with Chiefs looking to get back into the game, Pule Mmodi and Nkosingphili Ngcobo were hauled off for Thabo Cele and Asanele Velebayi, and while the heavens opened with heavy rain, their fortunes remained the same…
Ethan Chislett was replaced by Ashley du Preez, while Thalente Mbatha and Yanela Mbuthuma made way for Masindi Nemtajela and Evidence Makgopa, with the latter receiving an incredible reception upon his return to action after injury.
Pirates always seemed the more likely to add to the scoreline, with the visitors showing an incredibly resilient and discplined display to limit Amakhosi in their chance creation, and it was Makgopa who added his name onto the scoresheet after 78 minutes, converting a Moremi cross.
Three points moved Pirates up to 41 points, three ahead of Mamelodi Sundowns, who now have a game in hand – while Chiefs trial by 11 points, with a game in hand over the Buccaneers.
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