Orlando Pirates extended their winning streak in the Betway Premiership to six with a 2-0
win over TS Galaxy at Mbombela Stadium on Tuesday night.
The visitors were back on the road after enjoying league success at home over the past week. They arrived in Mbombela looking to consolidate their spot atop the standings having won all five of their opening fixtures.
They first had to withstand an assertive start from the home side who pushed forward through Samukelo Kabini, who was denied by Thabiso Monyane out wide seconds after the first whistle. Galaxy’s first shot at goal was an eighth-minute effort from the experienced Mpho Mvelase, who went wide from range.
Pirates had some enterprising moments of their own in opposition territory, but were unable to trouble goalkeeper Ira Tapé throughout the first 10 minutes. The Ivorian shot-stopper however knew very little about the first shot he had to deal with as the visitors edged ahead in the 16th minute.
The breakthrough came through midfielder Thalente Mbatha who produced a spectacular
effort from range to make it 1-0. Spurred on by the opener, Pirates launched a few more efforts from a long way out. Mohau Nkota and Deon Hotto each went wide with their attempts while Kabini also misfired with his effort at the other end just before the half-hour mark.
Mbatha had an opportunity to complete his brace late in the first half but his volley from just outside the box brought out the best in Tapé this time around, with the shot-stopper pulling off an excellent save to keep the visitors to a slim lead heading into the break.
Just as they did in the first half, the home side found themselves with a lot of defending to do
in the second period. It could have been 2-0 eight minutes after the restart as Nkota surged into the penalty area before firing at goal, only to be denied by Tapé.
Chaine meanwhile was tasked with more routine stops as the Bucs defence held firm to protect the lead. It took another moment of magic for Pirates to pull away from the opposition. That came through Relebohile Mofokeng who did well to turn possession over deep inside the Rockets half before finding the top corner with a superb effort that evaded the keeper.
Now two goals to the good, the Soweto Giants had to contend with a spirited finish from the
home side who were looking to pull one back. There was however not much to excite the
home crowd as the visitors remained in control.
Galaxy were further hamstrung late in the contest as Kamogelo Sebelebele received a second yellow card for a clumsy challenge on Nkosinathi Sibisi. That summed up a frustrating evening for the hosts and the opposite for Pirates, who stretched their lead at the top of the standings to six points.
Pirates XI: Chaine, Sibisi, Sesane, Monyane (Mako 64’), Hotto, Mbatha, Makhaula, Dlamini
(Gilberto 67’), Nkota (Rasebotja 88’), Mofokeng, Makgopa (Mabasa 67’)
