Orlando Pirates and Cape Town City could not be separated after the opening 45 minutes on Wednesday afternoon.
DStv Premiership
Result: Cape Town City 0- 2 Orlando Pirates
Date: 01 May 2024
Venue: DHL Stadium
Pirates made six changes from their big win over Royal AM, as they were boosted by the return of goalkeeper Sipho Chaine, Miguel Timm and Deon Hotto from suspensions, alongside rare starts for Lesedi Kapinga, Kabelo Dlamini and Thabiso Monyane.
The Buccaneers looked to build from the back in the early exchanges and attacked through the wings but crosses could not locate the likes of Tshegofatso Mabasa in the box.
The Citizens got into the game midway into the first stanza, as they pressed Pirates high and forced them into mistakes but they were not capitalizing.
Jose Riveiro's charges had their first real chance ten minutes before the break after Mabasa had a shot in the box that was saved by goalkeeper Darren Keet.
The game was on the edge in the latter phase of the first stanza but neither side could create clear opportunities and went to the break deadlocked.
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Pirates were on the front foot from the break but only came close to breaking the deadlock shortly before the hour-mark after Mofokeng was denied by Keet from close-range.
The visitors finally went ahead moments later after Mabasa put away a through ball by Mofokeng, one-on-one with Keet.
The game opened up and the Buccaneers capitalized on the break on 73 minutes after Mabasa doubled their lead and completed his brace with a first-time finish in the box after a cut-back by Mofokeng.
Mabasa did not have more minutes to complete his hat-trick for Pirates as he was withdrawn straight after that and replaced by Evidence Makgopa, who returned from injury.
The Soweto giants slowed down the tempo of the game in the dying minutes and held on to their fifth consecutive victory in all competitions.
Here's how they lined up:
Cape Town City: 16. Keet, 2. Mkhize, 15. Cupido, 13. Van Heerden, 25. Gordinho, 19. Petrus, 44. Slatsha, 20. Gonzalez, 23. Rhodes, 10. Mayo, 29. Paciencia
Subs: 31. Mpandle, 8. Sifumba, 22. Fisher, 27. Goedeman, 54. Ah Shene, 18. Leshaba, 33. Sereetsi, 6. Mokhuane, 7. Kutumela
Orlando Pirates: 24. Chaine, 27. Xoki, 36. Sesane, 7. Hotto, 4. Timm, 41. Mbatha, 2. Monyane, 21. Kapinga, 38. Mofokeng, 18. Dlamini, 19. Mabasa
Subs: 35. Buthelezi, 39. Mthethwa, 30. Baloni, 25. Kimvuidi, 23. Maela, 17. Makgopa, 15. Ndlondlo, 12. Otladisa, 5. Sibisi.
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