Orlando Pirates struck late in the second half to secure a 2-1 win over Chippa United in their Betway Premiership opener on Wednesday night.
Betway Premiership
Result: Orlando Pirates 1-2 Chippa United
Date: 18 September 2024
Venue: Orlando Stadium
Off-season signing Deano van Rooyen kept his spot in the side from the weekend's win over Jwaneng Galaxy to make his league debut for Pirates, as Jose Riviero made no changes for the clash.
The Chilli Boys were without signing Siphelo Baloni, who is on loan from Pirates, but there was a debut for former Buccaneer Andile Jali in the middle of the park
The Buccaneers dominated possession early on but it was the visitors who broke the deadlock in the 21st minute when Jali marked his debut with a superb first-time volley from distance that sailed into the top corner.
Chippa were guilty were of making errors at the back and they nearly gifted the equaliser to Pirates after Monnapule Saleng skipped past one challenge in the box, but the winger fired straight at Stanley Nwabali.
The Buccaneers were afforded the chance to get back in the game after being award a penalty, which allowed Tshegofatso Mabasa to step up convert his first league goal of the season.
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Chippa made two changes at the start of the second half, as the scorer Jali made way for Xolani Sithole while Kwayiba made way for Aphelele Teto, who was making his debut.
With the Buccaneers struggling to break down the Chippa defence, coach Riveiro opted for a double change of his own after 66 minutes as Kabelo Dlamini and Thuso Moleleki replaced Makhehlene Makhaula and Mofokeng.
The hosts nearly got their reward with 13 minutes left on the clock when Saleng burst into the box before seeing his powerful volley crash against the crossbar with Nwabali well beaten.
With the game seemingly headed for a draw, the Buccaneers got the winning goal in second-half stoppage time when Saleng got on the end of Deon Hotto's cross to head past Nwabali.
Here's how they lined up:
Orlando Pirates: Chaine, Ndah, Sesane, Van Rooyen, Hotto, Makhaula, Mbatha, Mofokeng, Maswanganyi, Saleng, Mabasa
Subs: Buthelezi, Sibisi, Maela, Rasebotja, Dlamini, Gilberto, Kimvuidi, Moleleki, Radiopane
Chippa United: Nwabali, Kammies, Modise, Konqobe, Makhele, Jali, Molaoa, Majogoro, Eva Nga, Kwayiba, Martin.
Subs: Johnson, Mqokozo, Chabalala, Ntsabo, Teto, Philander, Ndlovu, Sithole, Matrose.
