Orlando Pirates Reserves returned to winning ways in fine fashion as they beat Cape Town Spurs 3-1 in their DStv Diski Challenge match played at Rand Stadium on Saturday.
Looking to bounce back after suffering a rare defeat in their last outing, the young Buccaneers met a side that came into the clash unbeaten in their last five games.
The hosts’ determination was apparent from the first whistle, as they immediately put pressure on the team from the Cape.
They were rewarded as early as the third minute with striker Mpumelelo Ndaba finding the net for the second week running as he finished from close range after getting on the end of an excellent long ball from deep.
It continued to be one-way traffic in the opening 10 minutes, with the Buccaneers not letting up in intensity.
Mohau Nkota had a chance in the 23rd minute, firing at goal after cutting in from the left with his shot deflected out for a corner. This produced another opportunity for Ndaba, who leapt high to head at goal from the set piece but only managed to send the ball out for a goal kick.
Pirates had to withstand a positive period from the visitors late in the first half, but their defence remained resolute with goalkeeper Zoey Monyepao only called upon once.
There was a bit more for the Bucs shot-stopper to do early in the second half as he was forced into a couple of comfortable saves.
Much of the goalmouth action was however concentrated at the other end where Ndaba and Nkota each had two opportunities to double the home side’s lead, only to misplace their shots on each occasion.
The second goal was only elusive up to the 67th minute as Nkota popped up on the right before linking up with Siphamandla Mdunge, whose shot at goal caught a lucky deflection on its way to the back of the net.
This prompted the visitors into action as they pushed Pirates deep into their own half in an effort to reduce the deficit with time running out.
The Soweto Giants resorted to the counter, and it yielded results in the final 10 minutes when replacement forward Lulama Nxumalo finished off a swift move with an excellent shot into the far corner to make it 3-0.
The hosts remained on the ascendancy and could have found their fourth in the 85th minute when Aphelele Nzimande’s powerful shot from range was kept out by the keeper.
Spurs would however celebrate the next goal, as Monyepao’s defences were breached with four minutes left on the clock.
That proved to be the last real action of the afternoon as the Buccaneers clung on two their two-goal lead to post a vital win ahead of the December recess.
Pirates Reserves XI: Monyepao, Magugwana, Mbokazi, Mokone, Mohlala, Molepo, Selepe, Chibwe (Nxumalo 75’), Mdunge (Nzimande 75’), Nkota (Maphumulo 75’), Ndaba (Magadla 64’).
