Orlando Pirates reclaimed second spot on the DStv Premiership table with a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Cape Town City on Saturday.
DStv Premiership
Result: Orlando Pirates 2-1 Cape Town City
Date: 22 April 2023
Venue: Orlando Stadium
Pirates made two changes from their Nedbank Cup penalty shootout win over Dondol Stars, as Thembinkosi Lorch and Tapelo Xoki were not in the squad and their places were taken by Deon Hotto and Sandile Mthethwa.
The Buccaneers were all over City in the early exchanges and created decent chances but they were not clinical in front of goal.
After absorbing the pressure for the first quarter of an hour, the Citizens punished Pirates on a counter-attack with 18 minutes on the clock after Khanyisa Mayo picked out the bottom corner with a left-footed strike from the edge of the box.
Jose Riveiro's charges got going again as they asked questions of City and Terrence Dzvukamanja eventually levelled matters just before the half-hour mark with a header in the box from a cross by Innocent Maela.
Pirates remained on the ascendancy in the latter phase of the first stanza but they could not unlock a deep block from the visitors, who were happy to head to the interval level pegging.
Neither side took the game by the scruff of the neck from the break, with an injection of pace needed and on the hour-mark Riveiro refreshed the attack, as Fortune Makaringe replaced Kabelo Dlamini.
Pirates started to put more pressure on City, who were playing a high line, especially after Kermit Erasmus replaced Dzvukamanja.
Monnapule Saleng eventually gave the Buccaneers the lead 13 minutes before time with a low side-footed shot across goalkeeper Darren Keet after he broke clear on goal from Nkosinathi Sibisi's through ball.
Pirates solidified their midfield in the dying minutes as Makhehlene Makhaula replaced Miguel Timm and they slowed down the tempo of the game, sitting back and clinched a fifth straight league win to move into second spot on the table.
Here's how they lined up:
Orlando Pirates: 34. Chaine, 5. Sibisi, 39. Mthethwa, 23. Maela, 29. Mako, 4. Timm, 16. Monare, 7. Hotto, 14. Saleng, 18. Dlamini, 37. Dzvukamanja
Subs: 40. Mpontshane, 2. Monyane, 6. Motshwari, 15. Ndlondlo, 11. Makaringe, 36. Makhaula, 17. Makgopa, 95. Erasmus, 21. Marou
Cape Town City: 16. Keet, 2. Mkhize, 25. Gordinho, 12. Fielies, 3. Mokeke, 6. Mokhuoane, 23. Rhodes, 27. Goedeman, 11. Mayo, 20. Darwin, 17. Zapata
Subs: 31. Mpandle, 13. Van Heerden, 21. Mani, 7. Drammeh, 24. Lakay, 4. Sifumba, 10. Mdanstane, 15. Cupido, 41. Daniels
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