Orlando Pirates' struggles in the DStv Premiership continued after shock 2-1 loss to Cape Town Spurs, who get their first win of the campaign.
DStv Premiership
Result: Cape Town Spurs 2-1 Orlando Pirates
Date: 01 November 2023
Venue: DHL Stadium
The Buccaneers made two changes after their draw against Polokwane City, as Thabang Monare and Kermit Erasmus were recalled while Zakhele Lepasa and Monnapule Saleng continued to start from the bench.
Spurs had a perfect start after Lubeni Haukongo gave them the lead inside the first two minutes with a sweeping finish at the back post from a cross by Ashley Cupido.
Jose Riveiro's charges picked up the tempo of their game, asking questions of the home side and they had a big opening ten minutes before the break after a cross by Deon Hotto that needed a tap-in but Evidence Makgopa could not stick his leg out to connect.
The Buccaneers were punished immediately after that as Jarrod Moroole doubled the lead for Sean Connor's men after he he beat the offside trap to go through on goal and scored from a rebound after shot-stopper Melusi Buthelezi parried his initial shot.
Spurs had a glorious chance to add a third goal from the restart as Cupido broke clear on goal but he was denied by Buthelezi in a one-on-one situation.
Makgopa eventually pulled a goal back for Pirates just before the interval with a free close-range header after Tapelo Xoki's cut-back header at the back post.
The Buccaneers made their intentions clear of attacking from the first whistle from the break as they brought on Karim Kimvuidi in place of Miguel Timm.
The Soweto giants pinned back Spurs in their own half but only came close to equalising just after the hour-mark as Olisa Ndah guided a free header just wide at the back post.
Riveiro went for a different approach in attack after that as Saleng replaced Erasmus while Spurs gave Bradley Ralani his debut in place of Luvuyo Phewa in an attacking change.
Pirates continued to pressurize the Urban Warriors in the dying minutes and Patrick Maswanganyi came close to levelling matters with a dipping strike in the box that was parried over the crossbar by shot-stopper Sam Ramsbottom.
Looking for chances on counter-attacks, Luke Baartman had a big chance for Spurs in stoppages after he raced clear on goal and fired a shot past Buthelezi but his effort missed the open goals wide. However, the Urban Warriors held on to their first points of the season.
Here's how they lined up:
Cape Town Spurs: Ramsbottom, Daniels, Nel, Moroole, Phewa, Buchanan, Morton, Haukongo, Dortley, Lukhubeni, Cupido
Subs: Dlamini, Allie, Ralani, Thethani, Brown, Mefcane, Butsaka, Bern, Baartman
Orlando Pirates: Buthelezi, Xoki, Ndah, Monyane, Hotto, Monare, Timm, Maswanganyi, Lorch, Erasmus, Makgopa
Subs: Mpontshane, Sibisi, Shandu, Baloni, Kimvuidi, Saleng, Otladisa, Pule, Lepasa
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