Orlando Pirates continued their red-hot form in the Betway Premiership by claiming a narrow 1-0 victory over Polokwane City at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday.
The win marks their sixth consecutive league triumph and moves them within touching distance of league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
After a bruising 3-0 defeat in the CAF Champions League second preliminary round first leg against Saint-Eloi Lupopo over the weekend, the Buccaneers bounced back strongly on home turf. Head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou rotated his squad following that setback, recalling Oswin Appollis, Patrick Maswanganyi, Lebone Seema and Nkosikhona Ndaba to the starting XI.
The changes paid immediate dividends. Pirates got off to a flying start, opening the scoring within the first five minutes. Winger Tshepang Moremi, who has been in sparkling form, pounced on a loose ball in the box and fired home to give the Soweto giants the lead – his second league goal of the campaign.
From there, the hosts dominated much of the first half. Masindi Nemtajela nearly doubled the advantage with a deflected long-range strike, while Maswanganyi showed off his flair in midfield, creating openings with his movement and vision. Rise and Shine did carve out a major opportunity late in the half, but Sipho Chaine raced off his line to deny Bonginkosi Dlamini in a one-on-one situation.
Despite their dominance, Pirates couldn’t extend the lead. In the 58th minute, Evidence Makgopa was denied by the upright after being brilliantly set up by Maswanganyi. Shortly after, Ouaddou opted to freshen his attack, introducing Yanela Mbuthuma and Kabelo Dlamini in place of Makgopa and the goalscorer Moremi.
Mbuthuma nearly made an instant impact but failed to hit the target with a golden chance. At the other end, Chaine remained alert as Polokwane tried to snatch a point with some late set-piece pressure, but the Buccaneers’ defence held firm.