Monnapule Saleng bagged a goal and an assist to inspire Orlando Pirates to a 3-1 victory over Golden Arrows on Saturday afternoon.
DStv Premiership
Result: Orlando Pirates 3-1 Golden Arrows
Date: 14 January 2023
Venue: Orlando Stadium
Pirates were unchanged from their loss against Cape Town City, as Nkosinathi Sibisi started against his former side while Ndumiso Mabena was named on the bench for the first time.
Arrows, on the other hand, also named the same side that beat SuperSport United, as Ntsako Makhubela started against his parent club.
The visitors had a quick start as Knox Mutizwa raced clear on goal within the first 30 seconds and fired a looping strike that was brilliantly parried away by goalkeeper Sipho Chaine.
The Buccaneers took time to get going but increased their intensity after the water break midway through the first stanza and Saleng eventually broke the deadlock just before the half-hour mark with a first-time shot at the near post from a deflected cross by Bandile Shandu.
Jose Riveiro's charges gained momentum and Thabang Monare came close to doubling their lead shortly thereafter with a header in the box that missed the bottom corner inches wide from a corner by Kabelo Dlamini.
There was a lot of time in the first stanza for Arrows to get back into the game, as they enjoyed a spell of possession but they could not find a way through Pirates' defence.
The game opened up in the second stanza, with goal-mouth action on either side and Arrows made an attacking and tactical change on 68 minutes as Velemseni Ndwandwe replaced Lungelo Dube.
Ndwandwe made an instant impact as he found the equaliser for Abafana Bes'thende within a minute on the pitch with a deflected shot in the box after he was setup by Mutizwa.
Spaces continued to open up in the closing stages as both sides were fired up to get the winner and Pirates threw in Evidence Makgopa in place of Erasmus for a different approach upfront and Arrows also made a similar change, as Ryan Moon came on for Mutizwa.
However, the Durban-based side dropped deep in the dying minutes as they were seemingly content with a point as the Buccaneers advanced in numbers.
Terrence Dzvukamanja eventually restored the lead for the home side in stoppage time with a free header from close range after a cross by Saleng.
There was still time for third goal, as Vincent Pule settled the contest for Riveiro's men with a strike over goalkeeper Sifiso Mlungwana after going clear on goal
Orlando Pirates: 34. Chaine, 26. Shandu, 27. Xoki, 5. Sibisi, 23. Maela, 4. Timm, 16. Monare, 18. Dlamini, 7. Hotto, 14. Saleng, 95. Erasmus
Subs: 40. Mpontshane, Mabena, 45. Pule, 27. Dzvukamanja, 30. Martin, 29. Mako, 17. Makgopa, 15. Ndlondlo, 6. Motshwari.
Golden Arrows: 36. Mlungwana, 22. Hlatshwayo, 3. Lunga, 27. Nxadi, 37. Ndlovu, 11. Sibiya, 23. Dube, 24. Dlamini, 13. Mmodi, 8. Makhubela, 18. Mutizwa
Subs: 28. Mbatha, 5. Shitolo, 35. Mantshiyane, 26. Magubane, 2. Gumbi, 25. Nkosi, 9. Moon, 12. Ndwandwe
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