Orlando Pirates made it four straight league wins as they bounced back from last weekend’s cup defeat to beat SuperSport United 2-0 in a PSL clash at the Orlando Stadium on Tuesday.
Pirates broke the deadlock after just one minute when Evidence Makgopa found the target in great style after being put through by a delightful ball from Thabiso Sesane.
The defender brought in a through ball that went over the entire SuperSport midfield, finding Makgopa, who was already making his run and the strike showed great technique to lob the ball over Ricardo Goos who was off his line to score.
Pirates should have had a second three minutes later when the returning Thalente Mbatha brought in a good ball in the box which just needed the slightest of touches to direct it in goal but Nkosinathi Sibisi could not meet it at the back post.
Relebohile Mofokeng also had a good chance but saw his attempt miss the target while teen sensation Mohau Nkota, making his first senior start for the club, saw his ferocious shot sky over the bar.
Matsatsantsa came close to levelling matters
SuperSport’s first real chance came via set piece when Pogiso Sanoka tested Sipho Chaine in goal with a good freekick which the Pirates goalkeeper punched out.
However, just a minute later, Matsatsantsa thought they had found the equaliser. Ex-Pirates man Vincent Pule rose highest to meet the ball with a bullet header, which Chaine punched out, and the ball fell to Tashreeq Morris who slotted home but he was coming from an offside position.
Nkota then attempted to catch Goos off his line when Pirates were on a quick counterattack after defending a set piece but saw his attempt miss the target in the 32nd minute and two minutes later, Makgopa should have made it 2-0.
The striker had space in the box when he received the ball but failed to control it with Pirates going in at halftime leading 1-0.
How did Pirates make the points safe?
After the break, a neat exchange of passes saw Mofokeng cut back to find Patrick Maswanganyi whose back pass was met by Nkota but the youngster missed.
The Buccaneers then slowed things down in a bid to protect what they had but they should have made the points safe seven minutes from time.
Substitute Innocent Maela found Mofokeng with a good pass and the teenager did everything but score. He went past Goos and two defenders but instead of shooting on his left opted to go on his right by which time SuperSport had defenders in space to repel his attempt.
Deep in injury time, Deon Hotto’s shot from outside the box found its way into the bottom right corner for Pirates’ second goal of the game.
Victory sends Pirates to the top of the table with the maximum 12 points, three ahead of Mamelodi Sundowns, who play on Wednesday.
