Orlando Pirates Reserves registered a 3-1 victory over Chippa United in their DStv Diski Challenge fixture played at Woodson Stadium in Gqeberha on Saturday.
It was the visitors’ fifth win in a row as they consolidated their spot at the top of the standings with less than a dozen fixtures remaining in the campaign.
Against a side rooted at the bottom of the table, the young Buccaneers set about imposing their dominance early in the game with Mpumelelo Ndaba drawing a save from the keeper six minutes in after being played in by Relebohile Ratomo.
It only took a further four minutes for the breakthrough and it came through the boot of midfielder Njabulo Mndebele, who struck the ball sweetly from outside the box to put his side ahead.
He could have completed his brace halfway through the first half with another long-range effort, but managed to pull his shot wide of the target.
Ratomo came even closer to doubling Pirates’ lead just moments later with a shot that rattled the upright with the keeper beaten.
The home side did find their feet late in the first half, keeping Bucs keeper Siyabonga Dladla busy as he was required to make three saves in quick succession just before the break.
The Soweto Giants couldn’t have asked for a better start to the second period when they made it 2-0 right from the restart, with Mndebele locating Mpumelelo Ndaba with a cross, and the striker made no mistake in turning the ball into the back of the net.
This sprung Chippa into action as they sought to half the deficit, keeping the men on the flanks busy with a barrage of attacks.
They managed to breach the Bucs Reserves’ defence eventually, as they pulled one back in the 65th minute.
Their joy lasted a mere two minutes however, with the visitors restoring their two-goal lead after a moment of magic from Mohau Nkota, who made a mesmerising solo run from his own half before slotting in to make it 3-1.
Dladla was required to make another stop late in the encounter,Pirates managed the rest of the encounter well to register a crucial win on the road.
Pirates Reserves XI: Dladla, Kabini, Ndlozi, Mokone, Mohlala, Khumalo, Molepo, Mndebele (Moremi 61’), Khoto (Nkota 61’), Ndaba (Maphumulo 61’), Ratomo.
